The NY Islanders are protecting Matthew Schaefer at all costs, as he's attracting attention after the whistle

As he continues the stellar start to his rookie campaign, Matthew Schaefer is receiving extra attention from opposing teams on the ice in between whistles and after.

In last night's 4-3 shootout loss, Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was called for a roughing penalty after taking out Schaefer while the rookie was on his knees. The hit had the Islanders' attention immediately, with Anthony Duclair as the first to respond, jumping on the 6'7" defenseman's back.

Protect Schaefer at all costs

"I just see Big Z towering over him, so obviously you want to protect your teammate, especially Schaef," Duclair said postgame. "We have each other's backs in this locker room. We're all brothers in here. We're going to do whatever it takes to protect each other."

Patrick Roy, who was a fiery player throughout his career despite being a goaltender, appreciates his team's reaction to protecting their star player. Though Scheafer is only 13 games into his career, he's rising through the ranks of the league's top players, and Patrick Roy is hoping he'll soon receive that superstar treatment.

"I love how Duclair jumped in," Roy said. "The reaction of our guys, I mean, that's what you're looking for. They're a tight group. They back each other, and that I will say, I'm proud of them for that... Eventually, he's (Schaefer) going to have the same protection of the star players."

Giving up five inches and over 60 lbs to Zadorov, Schaefer doesn't seem deterred by the extra attention he's receiving, while appreciating his teammates stepping into the fray, willing to repay the favor.

"I love these guys," Schaefer said. "They always have my back and I'll always have their back. Obviously, it means a lot."

If Schaefer continues on this trajectory, he's going to garner even more attention, and while the Islanders don't have an enforcer in their lineup, they're protecting their young star with a pack mentality.