It started as a dud performance for two periods that turned into a welcome party for No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer but still ended as a disappointing defeat for the winless Islanders.

They spotted the Capitals four goals and lost 4-2 on Saturday night in their home opener at UBS Arena . But Schaefer was electric in a way few 18-year-olds are capable of being in the NHL, scoring his first career goal, leading the Islanders with 26:04 of ice time and taking a game-high eight shots while having another five attempts blocked as he was elevated to the top power-play unit.

“He’s so good, he was our best player out there tonight,” coach Patrick Roy said. “He forced me to play him.”

Schaefer halved the deficit at 4:28 of the third period by diving toward a wild scramble at the crease

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