Matthew Schaefer is leading the NY Islanders' blue line in almost every statistical category

The New York Islanders start the season 0-3 with their most recent loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Despite it being another disappointing game, Matthew Schaefer continues to impress with three points in his first three games. When Schaefer jumps over the boards onto the ice, it sends the fans onto the edge of their seat with his elite skating and high IQ vision. Schaefer played a new season high of 26:35 against the Jets, while the next closest defenseman was Tony DeAngelo, who played 17:46. Schaefer led the back end with shots on goal and is earning every shift Patrick Roy gives him.

Take a look at Matthew Schaefer compared to the rest of the blue-line so far.

PTS/60:

Matthew Schaefer: 2.6
Scott Mayfield- 1.2
Adam Pelech- 0.0
Ryan Pulock- 0.0
Tony DeAngelo- 1.0
Alex Romanov- 0.0

Matthew Schaefer's power play points per 60 also lead the Islanders at 6.0, while the rest of the defensemen are all at 0.0.

Now lets take a look at shots on goal:

Matthew Schaefer- 13
Scott Mayfield- 4
Adam Pelech- 6
Ryan Pulock-1
Tony DeAngelo-7
Alex Romanov-3

While Schaefer has been impressive offensively, he has also been defensively sound. He is using his size to establish body position along the walls and using his elite IQ and speed to skate or pass the puck out of the zone, which is something the Islanders are struggling with.

Now comparing the D Pairs:

Schaefer-Mayfield are logged at 40:17 of ice time as a pair.

Jonathan Drouin, Scott Mayfield, Matthew Schaefer — New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins | Justin Berl/GettyImages

3 Goals for / 3 goals against
24 shots for / 17 shots against
51 shot attempts for / 42 shot attempts against

Romanov-DeAngelo are logged at 41:11 of ice time as a pair.

Tony DeAngelo — Washington Capitals v New York Islanders | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

1 Goal for / 4 goals against
24 shots for / 23 shots against
44 shot attempts for / 44 shot attempts against

Pelech-Pulock are logged at 34:24 of ice time as a pair.

Adam Pelech — Washington Capitals v New York Islanders | Bruce Bennett/GettyImages

0 Goals for / 1 goal against
15 shots for / 16 shots against
34 shot attempts for / 30 shot attempts against

The Schaefer-Mayfield pairing is the Islanders' best pair at the moment. With the other two pairs struggling, could Patrick Roy look to break up the pairs, or could he look to give Adam Boqvist a look? If the Islanders want to turn this ship around, they will certainly need to play smarter and faster in their defensive zone.

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