The New York Islanders rally for a dramatic overtime win as 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer sets an NHL record—can their late-season surge power a playoff push?
Gil Martin breaks down the Islanders’ clutch 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, spotlighting Schaefer’s historic performance and Anders Lee’s milestone in his 900th NHL game. Key discussions include Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s overtime heroics, the impact of Ilya Sorokin’s steady goaltending, and crucial contributions from unsung heroes like Ondrej Palat and Marc Gatcomb. With the playoff race heating up and critical games looming against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, the Islanders’ resilience and overtime success become pivotal.
Don’t miss this energizing analysis of the Islanders’ playoff hopes, strategic challenges, and what to expect as the trade deadline approaches.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
Everydayer ClubJoin the Everydayer Club for ad-free audio, access to our group chat on Discord, and more. Use code DEADLINE ahead of the trade deadline for one month free. Tap here to learn more: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
IndeedNow, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuelUse your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOIslanders?sid=YouTube
Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL
And follow the show and Gil Martin on Twitter where he’ll share the latest news on your New York Islanders and will talk with fans like you.
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIsles
and https://twitter.com/icewarsnyrvsnyi
#Islanders #NYIslanders #NHL
29 Comments
Here's my NY Islanders trade-deadline proposal. We send St. Louis, our two first-rounders, and Cole Eiserman for Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and a third-round pick in 2026 and a second-round pick in 2027. What do you think?
Interesting tale o the tape dobson with two and schafer with two then the Captain comes up with a a timely goal… i was just wondering if it was going to be 19 for the eigteen year old… The Hockey Gods are loving Long Island
MacLean took a stick and showed some Warhorse coming back! I'd suggest Mayfield for the goat for his penalty; but its an award that needs too get spread around…
What an ugly, ugly game. I have seen beer league games that were better played. Both the Islanders and the Canadiens looked like they just came back from long vacations, the only bright spot on either side…Matthew Schaefer. I really hope Darche realizes what an unbelievable generational talent fell into his lap and he responds by putting a team around Schaefer that can take this kid to the promised land. Goaltending did make the difference in this game and while Sorokin didn't play very well…he was better than that cardboard cutout Montembault, I honestly can't fathom why Montreal keeps giving him starts, he is the worst goalie in the NHL.
with columbus i would look a Monaghan to rebound here down the stretch he's had a quiet season so far if thay are there i can see him stepping up again if healthy…
Great road victory over a quality opponent…very impressive
Isles need 5 new d-men & 6 new forwards to be good. Its disgusting how some guys just don't play hard or consistently. Dobson on ice for all 4 goals against Mon. Isles got roughed up & zero response. Good way for Lee & Pageau to go out. Now trade them! Its not a playoff team. They don't even play like they want to.be in playoffs.
Guys: i dont want to hear anymore talk about trading JG Pageau this season. He is a crucial part of this 2025-2026 team if we are going to get to the playoffs and get past the first round.
Six of the seven total goals were scored by an Islander of one form or another! 😂
Wow, It's Schaefer Time !!! Have a great weekend, Gil. LGI
what a game
Great Resilience! Darche had better get ready with that 8 year 10 million plus extension for Schaefer! Yes 👍 Schaefer still will have 2 more years on his entry level contract but Darche and the owners had better start saving now! The more I think about the deadline the more i rather just trade Drouin and Duclair if they waive their NTC! Lee kept as an own rental! Offer JGP an extension if he doesn’t sign then trade him! Hold onto all draft picks! Go with what you got unless Darche truly feels a trade is worth the cost 💲 of the assets He would lose. A must win against the Blue Jackets! Let’s Go Islanders! Have a Great Day Gil!
Great show as usual. Let's go Islanders!
Nice to have nhl back and nice have ur postgames again! Gil I told you Roy was going to put palat on first line not a 4th lol, he doesn’t help that line would you try Ritchie there I mean he’s kinda playing wing with drion playing center in his line?
Definitely worked through some adversity with the disallowed goal. As everybody pointed out, the two guys that they're gonna trade had goals in his game. Shafer continues to dazzle everybody had a solid game.I thought barzel was lacking the whole game, but maybe it's just a time off. Now let's address druin and duclare. What exactly are we supposed to do with these two guys????
First game back, so going to be some rust. I’m in keep JGP and Lee for the playoffs. Get rid of Drouin, he may as well not be on the ice.
While we are all enjoying watching an 18 year old phenom set records this year, the fact this he’s the second leading scorer on this team is beyond concerning. For this reason alone I’m all in on a big trade for a top line forward, who’s not 30+ years old, who can score. Horvat, Barzal, Sorokin are in their prime, and Schaefer is light years ahead of schedule. Let’s make a move before it’s too late.
Let’s trade Lee andPager LOL.
Good morning team! Gil, I'm going to say this was an excellent win. Congrats to both Schaefer and Dodson for their two goal performances. I'm glad we were able to work and get the tying goal. It shows the team's strong desire to get it done. Lee gets credit for the goal, even though it was a shot that hit Lee in the chest and into the net. Hey, I'll take it any way it comes. I also have to thank Montreal for not doing anything with the puck in OT. Barzy, Bovat & Schaefer were on the ice quite a while, and the Canadiens even completed a line change without having a real threat to win the game. When JGP scored, the look on Roy's face as he was coming off the ice was priceless. Congrats on the good win. Columbus is next. Everyone, have a great day and weekend! See you all again Monday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Go get Bertuzzi!!!
Giloneday48isgoingtowearthe c
"Dobson scored two …"
Schaefer, "Hold my Capri Sun!"
[since he's 18, and probably took it from one of the Martin kids].
This kid continues to impress! "Not the typical 18 year old rookie…" Truer words were never spoken, Gil. This kid is so special.
Dobson had two goals and was -2.
JGP and Lee with the tie and OT winner. Their not getting moved. So lets end that conversation. Schaefer no more words to describe it. BTW Drouin didn’t score.
Games like this make me wanna believe
I would love to see the same speed and co-ordination we’ve seen in our OT throughout the season transfer over to regulation 5v5.
We have such a hard time getting choked up – hopefully younger players coming in can open things up
Good 🌅, Gil. How are you? The Islanders are back and they beat the Canadiens. They lost a goal because they were offsides. Noah Dobson got REVENGE, and Matthew Schafer scored twice in less than a minute to tie the game up. He sets a record for most goals by an 18 year old rookie and he broke Denis Potvin's record for most goals by a rookie defenseman by the Islanders. Anders Lee scored the tying in his 900th career game. The 🐧 won without Sidney Crosby and they won't have him for at least a month. The Islanders found a way to win the game. The Islanders have yet to lose in OT. They still need to work on getting the 🏒 out of their zone, especially on the PK. Hero, Matthew Schafer for scoring 2 goals. 🐐, Kyle McClain for taking a stupid penalty at the worst time. The Islanders are playing the 🔵 jackets in Columbus tomorrow night, and the Stanley 🏆 Champion FL 😺 at 🏠. HAPPY 🎂 MIKKO MAKALLA. He scored a 🎩 trick in a win over the Capitals. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I compared Mike Milbury to Sonny from The Godfather. He had a bad temper, and made bad decisions that basically destroyed the Islanders. I also compared him to Roarke from Yellowstone. He did what he wanted, didn't care who got hurt. In , the case of the Islanders, Charles Wang R.I.P., YOU CAN QUIT TODAY OR BE FIRED TOMORROW. Of course in Sonny's case he got riddled with bullets on the Causeway. In the case of Roarke, he was a 🐍, so it's only fitting that he got killed by Rip when he threw it in his face. Now, LGI 🏒🔵🟠
This kid is unreal. If scooby lou was still around, MS would have never been given a chance his rookie year, to prove how capable and inspirational he is at such a young age. Two goals giving him 18 on the season, and lifting his chances at claiming the Calder Trophy. Much deserved. As for that cheese cutting chowdah head, noah dobson; yeah he may have started off the game hot to trot. But he was on the ice for both the late game tying goal, and the game winning OT goal by Pageau who, still has the wheels to get the job done, at his age. Dobson ended the night with a -2. Matthew Schaefer ended the evening with two goals and a +2. In your ear, and where ya breathe noah. As an aside, i'm praying we don't move any draft picks or prospects. Go with our current roster. Perhaps, Romanov comes back in time for the playoffs, but not at his expense. Only if he's 100% healthy. No set backs. And no on jordan kyrou. Oh, one more thing, look how more fluid we play when Duclair is out of the lineup. Same can be said about engvall. The only move I want Darche to make, prior to the deadline, is to pick up a bodyguard for MS on the ice. I'd like to see the return of Big Boy Ross.
Keep pager, hes more valuable, and i mean his play, to the team then lee