Matthew Schaefer has established many firsts during the opening month of his NHL career with the New York Islanders.

The 18-year-old defenseman, chosen No. 1 in the 2025 NHL Draft, not only is the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a season-opening point streak of at least five games (five points; one goal, four assists) to start his NHL career, but is the first defenseman chosen No. 1 to face four different No. 1 picks in as many games to begin it.

His NHL debut against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 4-3 loss on Oct. 9, followed a 4-2 loss to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Oct. 11 and a 4-2 win against Connor McDavid , Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 16.

He'll face a fifth when Macklin Celebrini , the No. 1 pick of the 202

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