The New York Islanders lost 4-2 to the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena on October 11. Despite the loss, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft, Matthew Schaefer scored what was his first NHL goal in his first home game, poking in a rebound early in the third to cut the deficit to 4–2.

After the game, Schaefer, who lost his mother Jennifer to breast cancer back in February 2024, was understandably emotional.

“She’s up there with the hockey gods. Maybe she slipped them a little $20 to get that goal. She’s definitely there to help,” he said per NHL beat reporter Stefen Rosner. The shot meant that Schaefer, at 18 years and 36 days, became the second-youngest defenseman in NHL history to score a goal. Expand Tweet

“When the fans show so much support, it’s pretty amazing to me. My Dad, brot

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