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7h ago

Islanders Drop Opener as No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer Sets NHL Debut Mark

Special-teams lapses overshadowed a poised debut from the top draft pick.

Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
Oct 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) react after a goal by Malkin against the New York Islanders during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
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Overview

  • The Penguins beat the Islanders 4-3 in Pittsburgh, with Justin Brazeau netting the late winner and Tristan Jarry stopping 34 shots.
  • At 12:02 of the first period, 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer assisted on Jonathan Drouin’s goal to become the youngest player to record a point in his NHL debut.
  • Schaefer logged 17:15 of ice time and was used in the six-on-five push, drawing praise from coach Patrick Roy for his composure and confidence.
  • Max Shabanov scored his first NHL goal, and Kyle Palmieri also tallied for New York as Drouin marked his Islanders debut with a goal.
  • Pittsburgh went 2-for-5 on the power play and New York’s power play went 0-for-3, extending a key area of concern as the team enters a new era under GM Mathieu Darche and heads to Saturday’s home opener against Washington.