Schaefer, Islanders rally in OT after Matthews sets Maple Leafs career goals record

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Matthew Schaefer scored his second goal of the game with 49 seconds left in overtime, and the New York Islanders rallied for a 4-3 win at UBS Arena on Saturday on a night when Auston Matthews became the leading goal-scorer in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, beat Joseph Woll high glove side after Mathew Barzal found him with a spin pass. He became the first defenseman in NHL history to record two multigoal games as an 18-year-old.

“That second one was all Barzal,” Schaefer said. “I forget who passed it up to Barzal, but it was basically all Barzal. He drew the man, and then he passed it right to me. I was right down mainway. It was all Barzal.”

Matthews scored career goals No. 420 and 421, surpassing Mats Sundin for the most goals in Maple Leafs history.

“It means a lot,” Matthews said. “It’s a very historical franchise, and I take a lot of pride in putting on the jersey every day. So to be in the same sentence as some of the greats that have come before us means a lot. It's extremely special. And I'm very humbled, and I couldn't do it without a great group of guys around me.”

Emil Heineman had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (23-15-4). David Rittich made 18 saves.

“The fans deserved that,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “I will say this: I mean, we were not too happy about our last game at home (a 7-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Thursday), and it was a pretty good crowd as well. So it was nice. I think in our last 10 games [at home] we are 8-2-0. So, I mean, we’ve been putting on a pretty good show in front of these guys. We have great fans, and it's nice to win for them and play well in front of them as well.”

Nicholas Robertson also scored for the Maple Leafs (19-15-7), who have points in six straight (4-0-2). Woll made 21 saves.

“Going into the third period, I didn't think we pushed enough for the third [goal],” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “I thought we didn't have the puck enough and sat back a little too much. And we ended up getting a point out of the game. But for me, I think we could have had two … I just think we didn’t play on our toes in the third.”

Adam Pelech gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 1:10 of the second period. His point shot deflected off the blocker-side post and in.

Matthews cut to the outside before cutting across the crease on his forehand at 9:30 of the second period to tie the game 1-1. It was his 420th goal, tying Sundin.

Matthews scored his second goal of the game at 17:19 to give the Maple Leafs a 2-1 lead and set the Toronto record. Ryan Pulock turned the puck over to Max Domi, who fed Bobby McMann before he found Matthews stationed in the right face-off circle for the one-time finish and his 20th goal of the season.

Schaefer tied the score at 2-2 when he cut across the crease before he beat Woll to the blocker side post at 11:08 of the third period.

Just 1:03 later, Nicolas Roy found Robertson cutting into the low slot from behind the net to give the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead.

Heineman tied the game at 3-3 after he beat Woll short side from inside the right face-off dot at 17:15.

Rittich denied a Matthews deflection at 2:43 of overtime that would have given the Toronto captain two straight hat tricks.

“[That win was] absolutely massive,” Barzal said. “I think anytime, in a game like that, where you're down late twice to come back and win, it’s just such a spark for the group. I mean, big for the crowd, just big for our team, really. Just that kind of energy. Just massive getting that one.”

NOTES: Matthews hit the 20-goal mark for the 10th straight season and became the fifth American player in NHL history to post a run of that length. … Matthews became the fifth active player to hit the 20-goal mark in his first 10 seasons. He joined Alex Ovechkin (20 from 2005-06 – 2024-25), Patrick Kane (13 from 2007-08 – 2019-20), Jonathan Toews (12 from 2007-08 – 2018-19) and John Tavares (11 from 2009-10 – 2019-20). ... Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe blocked a shot and left the game at 11:02 of the third period.