Schaefer nets first NHL goal as Islanders fall to Capitals

Matthew Schaefer, the 18-year-old defenseman taken first overall in June's NHL Draft, recorded a point in each of his first two NHL games but could not lift the New York Islanders to a win, assisting in Thursday's season opener at Pittsburgh and scoring his first NHL goal in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena.

Schaefer needed just 12 minutes in Pittsburgh to set up Jonathan Drouin's goal, becoming the youngest player to record an NHL point in his debut, and he followed that with a scrappy third-period finish in New York that cut the Capitals' lead to two. Washington challenged the home-ice goal, and a long video review considered whether a hand play by teammate Bo Horvat had influenced the sequence. The challenge was unsuccessful and the goal stood.

Coaches and teammates immediately credited Schaefer for his poise and impact. Islanders coach Patrick Roy said he was pleased with the rookie's composure and elevated workload, noting that Schaefer "forced me to play him" after logging 17:15 of ice time in Pittsburgh and a team-high 26:04 in the Washington game. Alternate captain Bo Horvat called Schaefer "our best player tonight" and praised his movement and...