New York Islanders
(OnNJ Sports file photo by Tim Hadorn)
November 2, 2025

Schaefer Scores Two in Historic Islanders’ Comeback Win

By Mackenzie Connick
2025-2026 NHL Season , Anders Lee , Bo Horvat , David Rittich , hockey , ice hockey , Matthew Schaefer , New York Islanders , NHL

Returning to UBS Arena after a four game road trip where they earned only three points, the New York Islanders sought to start off their three game home stand on a good foot. The Islanders faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, both teams on their second game of a back-to-back.

Both teams earned a solid shot in the first minute of the game. The Islanders looked more confident with puck control in the early moments of the game, only to be defeated by Blue Jackets’ goaltender, Elvis Merzlikins. Prior to the game, Merzlikins sat with a .915 save percentage through five games played. A poor attempt to glove down the puck by Columbus created a fancy chance for the Islanders. Although the team failed to net the puck, Damon Severson was sent off for cross-checking Jonathan Drouin in front of the net.

Just ten seconds into the power play, Matthew Schaefer was left all alone near the right circle, finding the puck from Bo Horvat and scoring the first goal of the night.

Throughout the first ten minutes of play, the Islanders did well to keep the puck out of their zone and away from David Rittich. The Islanders kept the Blue Jackets to two shots in the first ten minutes of the game. Anders Lee found himself with a stuff-in attempt, but Merzlikins was successful in keeping the puck beyond the goal line. After the first ten minutes, however, the Islanders struggled with possession, allowing more giveaways.

Rittich, attempting to clear the zone, passed the puck to Sean Monahan and narrowly saved the tying goal. Columbus used the energy for a few seconds before a stretch pass found its way into the Blue Jackets’ zone. Simon Holmstrom skated his way through two Columbus defenders to enter the zone but didn’t have enough support to make anything happen.

In the Islanders’ end, Cole Sillinger found a clear line to Zach Werenski, Norris trophy finalist last season, but he mishandled the puck. Werenski has had one goal and one assist in each of his last three games. After some back and forth, Schaefer sent himself to the corner to fetch a puck, only to be leveled by Miles Wood, who was quickly shoved into the boards by J.G. Pageau. Safe to say the Islanders’ veterans refuse to let their star rookie get pushed around.

The Islanders held the Blue Jackets to four shots in the first frame, while managing 18 of their own. The Islanders had six high danger shots. Despite having a minute less of offensive zone time than Columbus, the home team had a much stronger first period.

Early in the second, a very odd play and a bouncing puck stole a goal from Lee, even though Merzlikins was backwards in the net. An attempt saved by Merzlikins toe ended with Mat Barzal in the box for hooking Kirill Marchenko. The Blue Jackets, with the top road power play in the league, were unable to convert on the man advantage.

New York found some chances following the penalty kill. After a small shift back to Columbus, Barzal forced the puck to stay in the Blue Jackets’ zone. The first ten of the second period was not highlight reel worthy (with the exception of Merzlikins). Wood found himself with room in front of Rittich, but Scott Mayfield was able to poke the puck out of harm’s way.

At 11:32, Tony DeAngelo slashed Marchenko in front of the Islanders’ net. The Islanders were able to earn some offensive zone time during the kill and effectively killed off the penalty. New York struggled with zone time and possession in the second, only earning six shots recorded to Columbus’ ten in the first 15 minutes of the period. Following an offensive zone face-off for the Blue Jackets, Adam Fantilli sent the puck through the crease, finding Wood’s stick. Wood tied the game with his fourth of the season at 15:19.

Shortly after Wood tied the game, Anthony Duclair went off for hooking Isac Lundestrom. Horvat found a way to break out of the Islanders’ zone but was out of gas. The Islanders found themselves stuck on defense for the remainder of the second and headed to the locker room tied.

The teams came out blazing in the third with a lot of up and down movement and some good looks at both ends. New York looked discombobulated in the first five minutes but recorded two shots and some zone time. A fantastic pass from Callum Ritchie to Drouin just nearly missed the back of the net.

Through the first half of the third, the Islanders recorded more shots than the Blue Jackets. A chance by Sillinger was defeated with his teammate being offside. Back in Columbus’ zone, Ryan Pulock took a 94 mph slap shot from the blue line that went just wide. At 12:10, Denton Mateychuk controlled a bouncing puck to enter the Islanders’ zone, crafted an excellent backpass to Monahan, who passed across to Marchenko. The Columbus right wing sent the puck to Mateychuk for a backhanded go-ahead goal.

In the Blue Jackets’ zone, Anders Lee got into it with Merzlikins before a scrum in front of the net after a chippy shot from Casey Cizikas. Adam Pelech found a chance on Merzlikins, who could not control the rebound, but the Jackets’ defense managed to keep the puck out of the net. At 4:22, Alexander Romanov was sent off for tripping against Wood, despite it appearing that he tripped over his own feet after jumping for the puck.

Shortly after, Dmitri Voronkov was sent off for interference against Schaefer. During the four-on-four, a shot from Werenski found the back of the net, but Charlie Coyle sent Rittich into the net, negating the goal.

With 1:23 remaining, Rittich went to the bench, giving the Islanders a six-on-five advantage. Schaefer quickly shot the puck, which was deflected by Werenski and into the net.

With 37.3 seconds left, Lee took a shot on goal that beat Merzlikins, who thought he had the puck. Holmstrom tipped the puck past the line, giving the Islanders a late lead.

A Columbus time out ended with Merzlikins on the bench, but the Islanders were successful in maintaining their lead, winning their second in their back-to-back weekend.

Of the game, Schaefer said “it’s fun hockey to play and fun hockey to watch.” Patrick Roy and Schaefer both agreed the Islanders were the better team in the matchup, despite the second period. Roy said the team played a “strong 60 minutes” and that they “showed character . . . that [they] were resilient.”

The New York Islanders will play at home again on Tuesday night against the .500 Boston Bruins, hoping for a better showing than their 5-1 loss in their last meeting.

About the Author

Mackenzie Connick
Mackenzie Connick

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