ELMONT, NY -- For a second straight game, New York Islanders rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer found the back of the net.

His goal at 5:57 of the first period, which gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead in an eventual 4-3 regulation loss to the Nashville Predators, was his 15th of the season:

15th goal of the season for the 18-year old, Matthew Schaefer.

Simply incredible! #Islespic.twitter.com/QPaRft0yiV

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) February 1, 2026

With that goal, Schaefer passed Vladimir Malakhov (14 goals in 1992-93) for the second-most in a season by an Islanders rookie defenseman. Only Denis Potvin (17 in 1973-74) has more. 

Islanders Rookie Matthew Schaefer Passes Bobby Orr For Second-Most Goals By An 18-Year-Old Defenseman In NHL History After Scoring vs. RangersSchaefer's late-game heroics against the Rangers rewrite Islanders history, surpassing Bobby Orr with a franchise-defining goal.

Schaefer sits two goals shy of tying Phil Housley for the most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history.