Matthew Schaefer Sparks Rivalry Fire as Islanders Complete Season Sweep of Rangers
Matthew Schaefer is only 18, but he’s already showing he’s built for the big stage-and he’s not afraid to stir the pot while he’s at it.
After the Islanders edged out a gritty 2-1 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, Schaefer didn’t hold back. “Our fans are a lot louder than theirs,” he said, tossing a little extra fuel onto one of hockey’s oldest and most heated rivalries.
That win capped off a season sweep of the Rangers-four games, four wins-for the Islanders. And this wasn’t just any sweep.
It’s only the third time in franchise history they’ve pulled it off, and the first time every win came in regulation. That’s a statement.
Schaefer made sure his fingerprints were all over Thursday’s win. He buried the eventual game-winner and logged a heavy 23:25 of ice time-big minutes for a rookie, but clearly, he’s earned the trust. That goal marked his 14th of the season, a number that keeps climbing as he continues to deliver in pressure moments.
“It’s so fun,” Schaefer said postgame. “You want to beat them every time.
It’s a playoff game from here on out. Especially against the Rangers, you want to get those two points.
It’s fun when you’re beating them.”
That competitive edge has been part of his DNA since Day 1. After going first overall in last summer’s draft, Schaefer wasted no time endearing himself to Islanders fans, famously stating he wanted to beat the Rangers “every time we play them.” So far, he’s made good on that promise.
And while the rivalry talk grabs headlines, the standings tell their own story. With the win, the Islanders jumped into third place in the Metropolitan Division, tightening the playoff race and sending a clear message: this team isn’t just scrapping for points-they’re building something.
Schaefer, still in his rookie season, already looks like a cornerstone. He’s producing, he’s logging serious minutes, and he’s not shying away from the spotlight.
Rivalry games have a way of revealing who’s built for the moment. Schaefer?
He’s thriving in it.
And if you’re an Islanders fan, that’s music to your ears-especially when it’s echoing louder than anything coming from across the river.