By SCOTT CHARLES
Matthew Schaefer delivered a standout performance with a goal and an assist, propelling the New York Islanders to a 4-3 victory over the struggling San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. This win marks the Islanders’ third consecutive triumph following a rocky start to the season with three straight losses.
The scoring spotlight was shared with Bo Horvat, Casey Cizikas, and Emil Heineman, who each found the back of the net for New York. In goal, Ilya Sorokin was a force, turning away 33 shots. Schaefer’s impressive streak continues, maintaining a six-game point run and sharing the team lead in points with Horvat, both boasting seven points.
For the Sharks, Collin Graf made his presence felt with a short-handed goal and an assist, while Adam Gaudette and Macklin Celebrini also contributed goals. Despite their efforts, San Jose’s search for a win extends to a 0-4-2 record.
Rookie Michael Misa, a prominent figure as the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, notched his first NHL point by assisting on Gaudette’s goal. Between the posts, Yaroslav Askarov faced a barrage, successfully stopping 23 shots.
Heineman added to the Islanders’ momentum by scoring his third goal of the season in the final moments of the first period, establishing a lead that New York maintained throughout the game.
Schaefer buried a pass from Anthony Duclair at 6:38 of the second period to extend New York’s lead to 4-2.
Graf scored short-handed to open the scoring at 8:29 of the first period, but the Islanders responded just 57 seconds later when Horvat connected on the power play. Cizikas made it 2-1 midway through the period before Heineman stretched the advantage.
Celebrini pulled the Sharks to within a goal midway through the third period, but San Jose could not score the equalizer.
Schaefer became the second defenseman in NHL history to record a point in each of his first six career games, joining Marek Zidlicky (six games from Oct. 9–23, 2003), and the second player in Islanders history to accomplish the feat, following Bob Bourne (six games from Oct. 9–22, 1974).
UP NEXT
Sharks: Visit New York Rangers on Thursday night.
Islanders: Host Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.
