Schaefer Stars as Islanders Edge Blue Jackets 3–2
NEW YORK (AP) — Rookie Matthew Schaefer and Simon Holmstrom scored 29 seconds apart late in the third period, helping the New York Islanders rally for a 3–2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Goalie David Rittich made 20 saves as the Islanders secured their second straight win.
Game Summary
- Matthew Schaefer tied the game at 2 with his second goal of the night with 1:07 remaining.
- Simon Holmstrom scored the winner with 38 seconds left, pushing a loose puck past goalie Elvis Merzlikins for his fourth of the season.
- In frustration after the goal, Merzlikins slammed his stick against the crossbar.
Columbus Highlights
- Denton Mateychuk scored his third goal of the season at 12:10 of the third, giving Columbus a brief 2–1 lead, assisted by Kirill Marchenko and Sean Monahan.
- Miles Wood netted his fourth goal at 15:19 of the second period to tie the score at one.
- Merzlikins stopped 36 shots for Columbus, which had won four in a row after beating St. Louis 3–2 on Saturday.
Islanders Highlights
- Schaefer opened the scoring 5:53 into the first period with a power-play goal assisted by Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri.
- The 18-year-old has now earned 10 points in 12 games since being selected first overall in this year’s NHL draft.
- Horvat leads the team with 13 points, including seven goals.
- New York had just come off a 3–1 win in Washington on Friday, finishing a 1–2–1 road trip.
“Schaefer and Holmstrom delivered when it mattered most,” a team insider noted after the game.
Author’s Summary
Rookie Matthew Schaefer led a thrilling late-game comeback as the Islanders defeated the Blue Jackets 3–2, marking New York’s second consecutive win.