Overview
- Schaefer has seven points in six games (two goals, five assists), tying Marek Zidlicky for the longest career-opening point streak by an NHL defenseman.
- His first multi-point night included the decisive goal in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over San Jose, giving New York a third straight victory after an 0-3 start.
- He leads Islanders skaters in average ice time at roughly 22 minutes and quarterbacks the top power-play unit.
- The run is the longest by a rookie since Jonathan Toews opened with 10 games in 2007-08, and he is one game from matching Alexandre Daigle’s mark for an 18-year-old in the expansion era.
- Coach Patrick Roy lauded his two-way play, Detroit’s Todd McLellan compared his skating to Paul Coffey, and analysts describe him as an early Calder Trophy contender.