NY Islanders rookie phenom wows Toronto Maple Leafs stars in overtime win

Auston Matthews and John Tavares have spent the better part of the last decade setting the standard in the NHL. Between them are scoring titles, All-Star appearances, and Hall of Fame–level careers. On Saturday night at UBS Arena, the two Maple Leafs stars got their first extended look at Matthew Schaefer — and came away with the same conclusion New York Islanders fans have already reached: the kid is special.

The 18-year-old rookie defenseman delivered a coming-of-age performance in the Islanders’ 4-3 overtime win over Toronto, scoring twice and authoring two signature, highlight-reel moments. Schaefer tied the game in the third with a dazzling move, skating around the Toronto defense, cutting in, and stuffing the puck past Joseph Woll to tie the game. Then, the rookie ended the night in overtime when twisted and turning Mathew Barzal found him open in the slot, where he fired a shot that beat Woll to send UBS Arena into a frenzy.

It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just win a game — it announces a player. One that was broadcast on Hockey Night in Canada just days after Schaefer was passed over for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics. There were many more questions about that decision after Saturday night.

Matthews, who set the Leafs' franchise record for goals with two on Saturday night, and has seen just about every type of defender the league can offer, didn’t mince words afterward. “He’s obviously the real deal,” Matthews said. “This is our first time playing against him. So you definitely get an up-front, close view of just his speed and the size and the pace that he plays with. He’s a great player. He’s going to be a really, really good player here in this league for a long time.”

Tavares, no stranger to high expectations or carrying a franchise on Long Island, echoed that assessment while pointing to the fine margins that separate elite players. “You can see why he’s been highly touted,” Tavares said. “Has special talents, and unfortunately, we gave him a little bit too much room in the third and overtime. He’s proven already to be one of the best defensemen in the league.”

Coming from two future Hall of Famers, the praise carried extra weight — especially after just one head-to-head matchup. Schaefer didn’t beat the Leafs with flash alone. He beat them with confidence, timing, and a poise that usually takes years to develop. Islanders fans already knew what they were watching. On Saturday night, Matthews and Tavares learned it firsthand.