Matthew Schaefer scored two roof-raising goals in Saturday night’s win despite feeling unwell with what at least one report said was the flu. As he missed Monday’s practice and was listed “day to day (illness),” I’m struck that I’m not so much concerned that the Isles are less likely to win with him out of […]
Matthew Schaefer scored two roof-raising goals in Saturday night’s win despite feeling unwell with what at least one report said was the flu. As he missed Monday’s practice and was listed “day to day (illness),” I’m struck that I’m not so much concerned that the Isles are less likely to win with him out of the lineup as I am concerned that Islanders games are much less fun to watch without him.
I think that’s what’s so fun about this season, whichever way it leads (and I’m still not feeling like it leads to playoffs, current standings be damned): Matthew Schaefer is just plain fun to watch. He logs a lot of minutes as a defenseman; he wows with his break-the-mold approach that only a handful of defensemen at any age can do and get away with in the NHL; and of course his personality, approach and maturity is not what you expect from an 18-year-old superstar-in-the-making.
So anyway, Schaefer is a gameday decision for tonight’s meeting with the Devils. This is the final game before a very, very long trip.
First Islanders Goal picks go here.
Islanders News
- Previewing tonight, which is on ESPN+/Hulu for the national viewers. [Isles]
- Day-to-day: Ilya Sorokin will get the start. [Isles]
- Double episode of Islander Anxiety! The regular turn, but also the emergency podcast celebrating Schaefer’s big night against the Leafs (and also ranting about the Leafs emptying the bench for their own franchise-specific milestone…“You kind of which Scott Mayfield had gone Micheal Haley on them”). [LHH]
- The latest 32 Thoughts Podcast (where are the written thoughts???) acknowledges a wonderful night on Long Island for Schaefer and the Isles. [Sportsnet]
- Duh, he’s now the Calder favorite. [NHL]
- Not totally sure why they’re showing us this (but I appreciate the effort), but here’s a short clip of Patrick Roy praising his team’s “next man up” mentality. [Isles video]
- Speaking of Roy, here’s his post-practice availability, with lots of acknowledgment of David Rittich’s effort. [Isles video]
- Victor Eklund scored, blocked shots and killed penalties to win Player of the Game and help Sweden win gold over Tomas Poletin’s Czech Republic at the WJC. [THN]
- For the love of Bossy, even Newsday published something about this stupid Tom Brady self-promo video mentioning Matthew Schaefer. Click! Click! Click! Does no one have any shame anymore? [Newsday]
- Thanks to commenter 10 to 27 to 23 for posting this Schaefer post-game from the HNIC side:
Elsewhere
Last night’s scores included the Capitals winning, the Rangers losing in overtime and the Wings passing the Senators in regulation.
- In proof that Bettman’s Peak Parity is here, the reigning President’s Trophy holding Jets are currently last in the NHL standings and nine points out of the wild card. [NHL]
- In terrible news for the Russian Olympic Te— oh wait, they can’t attend because dumbass dictator invasion — Igor Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after what appeared to be a serious knee injury. [ESPN]
- Five years, $25.75M extension for Christian Dvorak from the Flyers. [TSN]
- The Hurricanes have acquired left-shot defenseman Juuso E-Z “you may have a lot of umlauts but I got much more” Välimäki from the Mammoth for future considerations. He’s a former 16th overall pick (Calgary) who’s been toiling in the AHL and will remain there for now. [TSN]
- Longtime Blackhawk (actually, I guess it’s technically Black Hawks player and Blackhawks exec) Bob Pulford has passed away. [AP]
Category: General Sports
