Matthew Schaefer has achieved a significant milestone. © APA / BRUCE BENNETT

A very young record holder overshadows everything.

The New York Islanders celebrated their fifth consecutive victory. A young defensive player played a major role in this success, setting new records along the way.

March 02, 2026

From: never

Anders Lee scored the game-winning goal in the New York Islanders' 5-4 home victory against the Florida Panthers with 32 seconds remaining, but the spotlight belonged entirely to Matthew Schaefer. At UBS Arena in New York, the 18-year-old contributed two goals and an assist, setting a number of milestones for the Islanders.

Schaefer thus became the youngest defenseman and the sixth-youngest player in NHL history to score 20 goals in a season. He is also the third-youngest player, after Craig Wolanin and Doug Bodger, to record at least three points in a game.

Comeback kings from New York

"I couldn't have done it without these guys," Schaefer raved about his team. "They made the transition to the NHL very easy for me, to a team I didn't know much about as an 18-year-old. They welcomed me with open arms, and it's simply fun to play with them."

The New York Islanders won against the Florida Panthers. © APA / BRUCE BENNETT

Schaefer isn't the only one with a knack for setting remarkable records. The Islanders, who trailed 0-2 and 2-3 at one point, became the tenth team in NHL history to cap off three consecutive multi-goal comebacks with victories. The Carolina Hurricanes, meanwhile, are the only team to have achieved this feat four times in a row (2005-06). In the Metropolitan Division, New York sits in third place with 75 points, behind Carolina (82) and Pittsburgh (75), while their current tally places them sixth in the Eastern Conference.