"Matthew Schaefer put on a coming-of-age performance Saturday night, scoring twice - including the overtime winner - as the Islanders stunned the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at UBS Arena. Against a star-studded opponent, with the building buzzing and the stakes high, the 18-year-old rookie defenseman looked like a superstar, coming up huge in the biggest moments. Just over four minutes into overtime, Mathew Barzal found Schaefer drifting into open ice in the high slot."
"No hesitation. Schaefer unloaded a laser past Joseph Woll, sending the crowd into a frenzy and sealing a win that felt bigger than two points. The Islanders needed every bit of that magic because Toronto pushed hard. Auston Matthews scored twice in the second period, breaking Mats Sundin's franchise goal record in the process and briefly putting the Leafs in control."
"That's where Emil Heineman made things right. After the giveaway, he redeemed himself in the biggest way possible, hammering home a power-play one-timer with 2:45 left to force overtime. Barzal and Jonathan Drouin, who each finished with two assists, were driving play when it mattered most. David Rittich quietly did his job again, stopping 18 shots in his seventh straight start, while Ilya Sorokin dressed as the backup for the first time in weeks - another encouraging sign."
Matthew Schaefer scored twice, including the overtime winner, lifting the New York Islanders to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mathew Barzal set up the overtime goal by finding Schaefer in the high slot. Adam Pelech opened the scoring before Auston Matthews scored twice, breaking Mats Sundin's franchise goal record and putting Toronto ahead. Schaefer's late third-period goal tied the game until a defensive-zone turnover allowed Toronto to retake the lead. Emil Heineman hammered a power-play one-timer with 2:45 left to force overtime. Barzal and Jonathan Drouin each had two assists. David Rittich made 18 saves in his seventh straight start.
Read at Eyes On Isles
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