Schaefer scores twice, ends overtime in 33 seconds as Islanders beat Wild 4-3

Matthew Schaefer needed 33 seconds of overtime to finish a game in which he had already supplied the Islanders with a goal, an assist and a heavy share of the minutes. His second goal gave New York a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, after Matt Boldy had erased the Islanders’ lead late in regulation.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau assisted on the winner. Schaefer finished with two goals, an assist and six shots on goal in 30:01 of ice time, the largest workload among Islanders skaters. He had a direct scoring contribution on three of New York’s four goals.

The Islanders had needed his first goal to recover from an early deficit. Joel Eriksson Ek put Minnesota ahead just 27 seconds into the game. Schaefer answered at 16:36 of the first period, and Bo Horvat’s power-play goal at 1:41 of the second gave New York its first lead.

Three points and a heavy workload

Quinn Hughes tied it at 17:21 of the second. Adam Pelech restored the Islanders’ advantage at 7:14 of the third, before Boldy made it 3-3 with 3:53 remaining. Schaefer’s next goal ended the game.

Schaefer helped create Horvat’s power-play goal and finished a 35-shift night with six shots on goal. The Islanders never led by two, leaving little room to absorb a mistake. His three scoring contributions gave them enough offense to survive both Minnesota equalizers.

New York still conceded the tying goal late in regulation, giving Minnesota a point in the standings. Ilya Sorokin finished with 22 saves on 25 shots. New York recovered from conceding in the opening minute and from losing its third-period lead, with Schaefer supplying the decisive response both times.