Isles rookie Schaefer nets two, youngest defenseman with multigoal

New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored twice and set an NHL milestone as New York rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night at UBS Arena, then was at the center of a separate on-ice confrontation two days later against the Boston Bruins as opponents sought to challenge the 18-year-old’s rapid rise. Schaefer’s second goal, with 1:07 remaining, tied the game and Simon Holmstrom finished the comeback 29 seconds later, securing the win.

Schaefer, the Islanders’ No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, opened the scoring with a power-play blast 5:53 into the first period and added the late equalizer after New York had fallen behind 2-1. The performance made him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a multi-goal game, surpassing a mark previously held by Bobby Orr. By the end of that contest Schaefer had five goals and five assists in 12 games with the Islanders. Two days later, after a subsequent appearance, his totals stood at 11 points in 13 games.

Islanders goaltender David Rittich made 20 saves in the Columbus game. Holmstrom, who tapped a loose puck past Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins with 38 seconds left, has...