"The Skinny"
By Eric Hornick
Game 12
Isles 3, Columbus 1
The NHL's Rookie of the Month of October is off to an even better start in November.
Matthew Schaefer scored twice, including the tying goal with 1:07 to play, and Simon Holmstrom scored the winning goal at 19:22 of the third period as the Islanders rallied for a 3-2 regulation win over the Columbus Blue Jackets before a crowd of 14,894 at UBS Arena.
Trailing 2-1, Schaefer tied the game with David Rittich on the bench, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a multi-goal game; Holmstrom's goal gave the Isles a regulation win in a game that they trailed at the latest point in club history.
The Isles have won two straight overall and four straight at home; they welcome the Bruins to UBS Arena at 7:00 on Tuesday.
The Scoring:
1st Period
Matthew Schaefer (4) Bo Horvat (6), Kyle Palmieri (5) 05:53 CBJ 0,NYI 1 PPG
2nd Period
Miles Wood (4) Adam Fantilli (4), Boone Jenner (5) 15:21 CBJ 1,NYI 1
3rd Period
Denton Mateychuk (3) Kirill Marchenko (7), Sean Monahan (5) 12:10 CBJ 2,NYI 1
Matthew Schaefer (5) 18:53 CBJ 2,NYI 2
Simon Holmstrom (4) Anders Lee (7), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (4) 19:22 CBJ 2,NYI 3
The Skinny
Simon Holmstrom has a point in three straight games and is 4-3-7 in the last six games; his winning goal was only the 24th go-ahead goal and 26th game-winning goal scored by the Isles in the final minute of regulation, and the first one EVER at UBS Arena.…The Isles have allowed only three goals in the last two games… Since spotting Washington the first fifteen shot attempts on Friday, the Isles have out-attempted their opponents 126- 82…The Isles have held the opposition to 23 or fewer shots in consecutive games for the first time since November 25-27, 2024…The Isles have gone 9-9 on the penalty kill in the last three games; it is the first time since December 27-31, 2023, that the Isles have been perfect on at least nine penalty kill opportunities over a three-game span…The Isles have scored twice with a sixth-attacker this season (including once on a delayed penalty)…Anders Lee now leads the Isles with seven assists; he has matched a career-best for assists in the first twelve games (also 2018-19)…The Isles had eighteen shots in the first period, matching their most since May 4, 2021, vs. Buffalo, when they had 21; they have not had more than eighteen shots in a home first period since January 16, 2020, at Barclays Center, against the Rangers.
The Schaeferisms
• Matthew Schaefer is the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a multi-goal game (knocking Orr, Bobby from the record books.)
• Schaefer is the first NHL defenseman to score five goal in his first twelve games since Vladimir Malakhov did so for the Isles in 1992-93.
• Schaefer is the first rookie to score five goals this season and the first defenseman to score five goals this season.
• Schaefer is now tied with Ivan Demidov for the rookie point lead (10), leads all rookies in power play goals (3) and is tied with Zeev Buium for the rookie lead in power play points (5).
• Schaefer now has three career power-play goals, tying Dave Chyzowski for the most by an 18-year-old Islander.
• He is also tied for the third-highest total of power play goals in NHL history by an 18-year-old defenseman, trailing just Phil Housley (10) and Rasmus Dahlin (5)
• He is the fastest defenseman who was selected No. 1 overall to reach 10 career points, breaking Aaron Ekblad's record (15 games).
Most Goals by a Defenseman (First 12 Games, Since World War II)
5 – Matthew Schaefer 2025-26 (NYI)
5 – Vladimir Malakhov 1992-93 (NYI)
5- Doug Wilson 1997-98 (CHI)
Woolworth's Club (5 goals and 10 points in First 12 Games, NHL Defenseman, Last 85 Seasons)
5-6-11 – Vladimir Malakhov 1992-93
5-5-10 – Matthew Schaefer 2025-26
Last-Minute Go-Ahead Goals by Isles (2000s)
Mike Sillinger 2/19/2007 vs PIT (19:33) (Nassau Coliseum)
Michael Grabner 4/5/2012 vs WPG (19:13) (Nassau Coliseum)
Anders Lee 11/30/2016 vs PIT (19:33) (Barclays Center)
Ryan Pulock 2/11/2020 vs PHI (19:19) (Barclays Center)
Kyle Palmieri 4/8/2022 at CAR (19:45) (PNC Arena)
Simon Holmstrom 11/2/2025 vs CBJ (19:22) (UBS Arena)
Freddy Meyer (2/14/08 at TOR) and Cal Clutterbuck (2/27/2015 vs CGY) both scored last minute empty-net goals that became the game-winner when the Isles allowed a later goal.
Big Save Dave
David Rittich earned his third win of the season (and 111th of his career). Last season, Islander goalies other than Ilya Sorokin won only five games (three by Semyon Varlamov in October/November and two by Marcus Hogberg), matching the club record for fewest combined wins by other goalies besides the team leader in wins.
Milestone Man
Ryan Pulock remains tied with Jeff Norton for eighth place among Islander defensemen with 166 assists; Jean Potvin had 167.
First Times in a Long Time
• The Isles won a game in regulation that they trailed in the final two minutes for only the second time in club history (3/28/2019 in Winnipeg).
• The Isles won a home game in regulation that trailed in the final four minutes for only the third time in club history (12/20/2014 vs. Tampa Bay; 1/12/1985 vs. Philadelphia). In both of those games, the Isles tied the contest with over three minutes to play.
Most Ice Time by an Islander Teenager, Game
1. Matthew Schaefer 27:40 10/25/2025 at PHI (SO)
2. Eric Brewer 26:57 4/3/1999 vs ANA (OT)
3. John Tavares 26:46 4/11/2010 vs. PIT (SO)
4. Matthew Schaefer 26:35 10/13/2025 vs. WPG
5. Matthew Schaefer 26:04 10/11/2025 vs. WAS
A 20-year-old Islander has played more than 27:40 seven times (Bryan Berard – four times; Travis Hamonic -3 times). The youngest of these was Hamonic (at MTL) on February 10, 2011, when he was 20 years, 178 days old; Schaefer will not hit that age until March 1, 2028.
Most Games Played as an 18-Year-Old (Isles history)
Tim Connolly 81 (14-20-34)
Dave Chyzowski 34 (8-6-14)
Mathew Schaefer 12 (5-5-10)
Nino Niederreiter 9 (1-1-2)
Brent Sutter 3 (2-2-4)
Brad Dalgarno 2 (1-0-1)
Paul Boutilier 1 (0-0-0)
Lots of Travel
The Isles are in a stretch where they are playing 11 of 14 games on the road. They are 2-2-1 in this stretch (1-0-0 home, 1-2-1 road).
Did Somebody Say Comeback?
The Isles have five come-from behind wins this season, including two when they trailed in the third period. The opponents have come-from-behind to win three times this season, including twice in the third period.
Overtime
The Isles are 0-0 in games decided by an overtime goal, and they are 0-1 in shootouts.
Empty Netters
The Isles have scored 2 empty-net goals and allowed 2.
Building on a Lead
The Islanders have had a two-goal lead 6 times this season:
• Score the next goal: 1 time
• Allowed the next goal: 3 times
• Game ended with 2-goal difference: 2 times
Last Year vs. This Year
• 2025-26 6-5-1 for 13 points in 12 games
• 2024-25 4-6-2 for 10 points in 12 games
Offense from Defense
• Today: 2-0-2
• Season: 6-21-27
• Last Season (Final) 32-129-161
The Islander defense did not score their sixth goal last season until December 12th (Game 31).
Home and Road
The Isles are 6-5-1 overall; they are 4-2-0 at home and 2-3-1 on the road.
Columbus is 7-5-0 overall; they are 3-3-0 at home and 4-2-0 on the road.
East and West
The Isles are 4-4-1 against the East (2-3-1 vs. Metropolitan and 2-1-0 vs. Atlantic) and 2-1-0 against the West (0-1-0 vs. Central and 2-0-0 vs. Pacific).
First Things First
The Isles are 3-1-1 when scoring first and are 3-4-0 when allowing the opening goal.
The Shots
Isles 18-10-11=39
Columbus 3-14-5=22
The Isles are 1-4-0 when they outshoot their opponents, 1-0-1 when the shots are even and 4-1-0 when the opposition has more shots.
In the Nets
David Rittich made 20 saves; he is 3-1-0 this season and 4-2-1 vs. Columbus.
Elvis Merzlikins made 36 saves; he is 4-2-0 this season and 3-5-0 vs. the Isles.
Special Teams
The Isles were 1-2 (0:49); Columbus was 0-4 (6:39).
The Isles are 3-2-0 when they score at least one power play goal and 3-3-1 when they do not. The Isles are 3-3-1 when they allow at least one power play goal and 3-2-0 when they do not.
The Isles are 4-1-0 when they outscore the opposition on special teams, 2-3-0 when they are outscored, and 0-1-1 when special team goals are equal.
Three is a Magic Number
The Isles are 6-1-1 when they score at least three goals (including shootout winners) and are 0-4-0 when they do not.
One-Goal Games
The Isles are 3-1-1 in games decided by a single goal including 3-1 in regulation. They are 0-0 in games decided in overtime and are 0-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 2-0 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.
Back-to-Backs
The Isles are 0-1-0 on the front end and 1-0-0 on the back end this season. The next back-to-back will be on November 7-8 vs. Minnesota and the Rangers.
Including tonight, the Isles are 2-1-0 when the opponent is on the back end, including 0-0-0 when the Isles also played the previous day.
Ice-time Leaders
Isles: Alex Romanov (21:38); Columbus: Zach Werenski (27:06)
Bo Horvat led Isles forwards (20:28).
Face-offs
Isles 32, Columbus 15 (68%)
Bo Horvat won 11 of 13 and Jean-Gabriel Pageau won 10 of 12 for the Isles. No Jacket won more than he lost.
Hit Count
Isles 10 (Three with 2)
Columbus 26 (Mathieu Oliver -9)
Fights
None. Season total: 2 (Mayfield, McLean)
Blocked Shots
Isles 10 (Alexander Romanov -3)
Columbus 13 (Charlie Coyle -3)
For the Analytics Crowd
Corsi: All situations: Isles 70, Columbus 45
Corsi: 5-on-5: Isles 62, Columbus 35
5-on-5 leaders:
Isles: Mathew Barzal +18
Columbus: Isac Lundestrom +6
High Danger Scoring Chances (per Natural Stat Trick)
All situations: Isles 19, Columbus 13
5-on-5: Isles 17, Columbus 9
Scratches
(Pierre Engvall-LTIR), (Semyon Varlamov-IR), (Ethan Bear-IR), (Max Shabonov-INJ). Max Tsyplakov, Adam Boqvist.
Games Lost to injury: 47. (Last season's total: 304)
The Ironmen
Kyle Palmieri is the Islanders' ironman, having played 210 consecutive games. Casey Cizikas (120) and Anders Lee (103) are the only other Isles to have also played every game since the start of last season.
National TV Games
The Isles are 1-1-0 in games that air on one of the NHL's US national broadcast partners. Their next appearance will be on TNT on December 9th vs Vegas.
Matinee Isles
The Isles are 1-1-1 in matinee games this season; the next matinee will be at 3:30pm on November 22nd against St. Louis. The NHL considers games that start before 5:00 local time to be afternoon contests. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, the Isles are 16-18-13 in matinees.
Challenges
Isles: 0 successful, 0 failures
Opponents: 0 successful, 3 failure (No hand pass – WAS 10/11), (No interference – DET 10/23), (No offside – WAS 10/31)
Hockey Opps: 0 favorable, 0 unfavorable
Quickies (Two goals in under a minute)
For (2): DET 10/23, CBJ 11/2
Vs (1): BOS 10/28
Quick Responses (One team scoring within a minute of other team)
Isles responses (2): OTT 10/18, SJS 10/21
Opponent responses (2): WPG 10/13, CAR 10/30
Multi-Goal 3rd Period Comeback Wins
For (0):
Vs (0):
Last Minute Heroes (Tying or go-ahead goals in the final three minutes of the third period):
For (3): Anders Lee, GWG(18:57)10/18 OTT, Matthew Schaefer, GTG (18:53) and Simon Holmstrom GWG (19:22) 11/2 CBJ
Vs (0):
OT Winners
For (0):
Vs (0):
Shootout Winners
For (0):
Vs (1): PHI 10/25
All-time Islander Leader Boards:
Games Played (skaters)
1. Bryan Trottier 1,123 *** 2. Denis Potvin 1,060 *** 3. Josh Bailey 1,057 ***
4. Casey Cizikas 909 *** 5. Brock Nelson 901 *** 6. Bobby Nystrom 900 *** 7. Clark Gillies 872 *** 8. Matt Martin 855 *** 9. Anders Lee 853 …
22. John Tonelli 594 *** 23. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock 572 *** 25. Ken Morrow 550 *** 26. Duane Sutter and Scott Mayfield 547 *** 28. Lorne Henning 543 *** 29. Mathew Barzal 541
Goals
1. Mike Bossy 573 *** 2. Bryan Trottier 500 *** 3. Denis Potvin 310 …
5. Brock Nelson 295 *** 6. Anders Lee 291 …
20. Kyle Okposo 139 *** 21. Mathew Barzal 137…
29. Ray Ferraro 116 *** 30. Casey Cizikas 115
Assists
1. Bryan Trottier 853 *** 2. Denis Potvin 742 *** 3. Mike Bossy 553 …
7. John Tonelli 338 *** 8. Mathew Barzal 334…
19. Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo 230 *** 21. Anders Lee 225…
27. Alexei Yashin and Duane Sutter 171 *** 29. Jean Potvin 167 *** 30. Jeff Norton and Ryan Pulock 166…
34. Mariusz Czerkawski 150 *** 35. Casey Cizikas 149
Points
1. Bryan Trottier 1,353 *** 2. Mike Bossy 1,126 *** 3. Denis Potvin 1,052…
12. Bob Bourne 542 *** 13. Anders Lee 516…
15. Patrick Flatley 488 *** 16. Mathew Barzal 471…
27. Ed Westfall 286 *** 28. Casey Cizikas 264
+/-
1. Bryan Trottier +467 ***2. Denis Potvin +456 *** 3. Mike Bossy +380
15. Bob Lorimer +105 *** 16. Adam Pelech +83 *** 17. Tomas Jonsson +76 *** 18. Garry Howatt +75 *** 19. Pat Price +70 *** 20. JP Parise +67 *** 21. Ryan Pulock +59 *** 21. Jude Drouin +58 *** 23. Patrick Flatley +57 *** 24. Greg Gilbert +54
Defense Goals
1. Denis Potvin 310 *** 2. Tomas Jonsson 84 *** 3. Kenny Jonsson 57 ***
4. Ryan Pulock 53…
13. Bryan Berard 31 *** 14. Scott Mayfield 28 *** 15. Vladimir Malakhov 27 *** 16. Adam Pelech and four others 26
Defense Assists
1. Denis Potvin 742*** 2. Stefan Persson 317 *** 3. Tomas Jonsson 249 ***
7. Jean Potvin 167 *** 8. Jeff Norton and Ryan Pulock 166 ***10. Mark Streit 139 *** 11. Adam Pelech 137…
17. Bryan Berard and Scott Mayfield 100
Defense Points
1. Denis Potvin 1,052 *** 2. Stefan Persson 369 *** 3. Tomas Jonsson 333…
5. Kenny Jonsson 232 *** 6. Noah Dobson 230 *** 7. Ryan Pulock 219…
10. Mark Streit 179 *** 11. Adam Pelech 163…
18. Gerry Hart and Scott Mayfield 128
Goalie Games
1. Billy Smith 674 *** 2. Rick DiPietro 318 *** 3. Glenn Resch 282 ***
4. Ilya Sorokin 261 …
8. Jaroslav Halak 177*** 9. Glenn Healy 176 *** 10. Semyon Varlamov 173
Wins
1. Billy Smith 304 *** 2. Glenn Resch 157 *** 3. Rick DiPietro 130 ***
4. Ilya Sorokin 128 …
7. Jaroslav Halak 88 *** 8. Roland Melanson 77 *** 9. Semyon Varlamov 76
Shutouts
1. Glenn Resch 25 *** 2. Billy Smith and Ilya Sorokin 22 ***
4. Rick DiPietro and Semyon Varlamov 16
On the Farm
Bridgeport is 3-5-1-0 after earning a 2-1 shootout win over Springfield on Sunday. Marcus Hogberg made 26 saves for the win; he has allowed just one combined goal in his two wins.
The Baby Isles host Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night.
Leaders: Three with 3; Assists: Matthew Highmore and Matthew Warren 4; Points: Warren 6
Goalies: Marcus Hogberg 2-3-1 2.35, .919; Parker Gahagen 1-2-0 3.73, .869
Season Series Stats
The Isles lead the season series, 1 game to 0 (and 2 points to 0). The teams will meet next in Columbus on December 28th.
Since 2022, the Isles are 11-2-2 in fifteen games with the Jackets, including 7-0-1 at UBS Arena.
UP NEXT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th —BOSTON AT ISLANDERS 7:00pm
[MSGSN (pre-game at 6:30), WRHU 88.7 FM, WRCN 103.9FM, Isles + UBS Arena App]
The Isles look to even series as they welcome the Bruins to UBS Arena on Tuesday. Boston rallied from an early 2-0 deficit for a 5-2 win over the Islanders last Tuesday in Beantown.
The Isles are 3-6-2 in their last eleven games with the Bruins; they have had much more success on home ice, going 7-2-1 since the opening of the 2021 COVID-shortened season, including 3-2-1 at UBS Arena.
Eric Hornick has been the statistician on Islander home game telecasts since January 21, 1982. Information contained in "The Skinny" has been gathered from various sources. Follow Eric @ehornick on Twitter & on his blog www.nyiskinny.com
Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since January 21, 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick
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