Islanders’ Schaefer becomes first player post-lockout to play all five minutes of overtime

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer exceeded all expectations in his rookie campaign last season. Now, just a dozen games into his sophomore season, he’s done something we haven’t seen in over 20 years.

In New York’s 4-3 shootout win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, Schaefer became the first player since the 2004-05 lockout to play all five minutes of overtime.

Schaefer drew a tripping penalty on Predators forward Filip Forsberg 2 minutes and 17 seconds into the overtime period, giving him a chance to grab a breather during a stoppage in what is typically relentless 3-on-3 action. Of course, the Islanders kept Schaefer out there for the entirety of the proceeding 4-on-3 power play, and he stayed on for the remaining 43 seconds after the power play had ended to complete the full five minutes of OT. The 19-year-old blueliner even had to get on his horse to impede a potential breakaway for Forsberg after he stepped out of the penalty box.

The Hamilton, Ontario native finished the game with 32 minutes and 16 seconds of ice time, clearing the next closest Islanders skater by over six minutes. Coming into Tuesday’s game, he was averaging 26 minutes and 13 seconds of ice time.

Schaefer also notched an assist on Tuesday, giving him two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 12 games this season. Last season, he put up 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points in all 82 games en route to winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.

New York, now sitting in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with 14 points through 12 games, will finish up a three-game road trip against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday before kicking off a three-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.