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Schaefer Notches Assist in Toronto Homecoming as Islanders Beat Maple Leafs 3-1

His breakout rookie year has him nearing 50 points as the clear Calder favorite, fueling New York’s playoff push.

Overview

  • Calum Ritchie recorded a goal and an assist on first‑period power plays, Brayden Schenn scored his first as an Islander, Emil Heineman added a goal, Mathew Barzal tallied three assists, and Ilya Sorokin made 24 saves.
  • Matthew Schaefer’s assist moved him within one point of becoming the fourth rookie defenseman in Islanders history to reach 50 points.
  • The 18‑year‑old No. 1 pick drew a large Toronto media scrum and said a private box would hold close to 1,000 family and friends for his hometown game.
  • Schaefer’s grandmother, Marianne, attended, which he said could be her first NHL game and her first time watching him in the league.
  • New York improved to 39‑24‑5 and 9‑3‑0 over its last 12, keeping pace in a tight Metropolitan Division playoff race.