Islanders’ Star Matthew Schaefer Just Made NHL History in Overtime

The New York Islanders have a budding star on their hands, and he’s making NHL history almost nightly. Matthew Schaefer, just 18 years and 70 days old, delivered another jaw-dropping moment Friday when he buried the overtime winner — becoming the youngest player in NHL history to score an overtime goal in the regular season, passing none other than Sidney Crosby, who set the previous mark in 2005 at 18 years and 101 days.

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It wasn’t just a milestone goal — it was a statement.

Schaefer’s winner came with a touch of personality, too. As cameras caught up with him after the goal, during a post-game interview, the rookie said to former NHLer Cal Clutterbuck, “Clutter — you like that one, buddy??” The kid isn’t just confident; he’s having the time of his life.

And why wouldn’t he be? He’s doing things veteran players dream about. With seven goals already, Schaefer leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, an absurd accomplishment for someone who can’t legally buy a beer in the United States. Three of those goals have come from long range, putting him in elite company with Sean Walker, John Carlson, Josh Morrissey and Brandon Montour — the only others with as many from distance, per NHL EDGE tracking.

Schaefer is also climbing the record books at breakneck speed. By scoring in back-to-back games, he became the third-youngest player in the past 80 years to do so, trailing only Jordan Staal and Pierre Turgeon. He also established himself as the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score in consecutive games.

Islanders fans are already buzzing with hyperbole — some calling him “a miracle,” others joking that he “might be HIM.” But for a franchise starving for excitement, it’s easy to understand the enthusiasm. Schaefer’s arrival has injected a burst of energy into the team. His poise, shot, and confidence are far beyond his years, and it’s showing in the standings.

With Schaefer leading the way, the Islanders also made a bit of team history, winning three straight regular-season overtime games for the first time ever. The only other time they accomplished that streak was back in the 1993 playoffs.

If this is what Matthew Schaefer looks like at 18, the rest of the league might want to brace itself. The kid isn’t just ahead of schedule — he’s rewriting it.

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