New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has already become a rookie phenom in just half a season. The 18-year-old first-year player has been electric thr

The Isles are indeed the slightly better defensive team than the Flyers, with the Islanders posting a 2.76 goals-against average, and Philadelphia posting a 2.83 goals-against average. It’s also true that the Flyers are the better team on offense, putting up a 2.98 goals-for average compared to the Isles’ 2.76 goals-for average.

Matthew Schaefer earned an assist on Horvat’s strike against the Blackhawks, bringing his point total to 25 (9G, 16A) on the season. At just 18 years and 116 days old, Schaefer is the youngest defenseman in NHL history to 25 points. Schaefer ranks third among rookies and leads all first-year defensemen in scoring this season.

The New York Islanders will be without their leading scorer for at least the next week. Bo Horvat sustained a lower-body injury during Thursday's 7-2 loss to th

It’s hard to imagine New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer’s rookie season going any better, but getting kudos from the greatest quarterback in NFL history has got to make it a little sweeter.

The New York Islanders dropped a 7-2 decision to the Utah Mammoth on Thursday afternoon at UBS Arena. Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer (PPG) scored for the Islanders, but Dylan Guenther’s hat trick and goals Nick Schmaltz (2G) and Mikhail Sergachev lifted Utah to the win.

Minus the ability to score, the Islanders have been asking for near perfection from every other part of their game.