Matthew Schaefer plays full five minute NHL overtime for New York Islanders

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer stayed on the ice for a full five-minute overtime period during a game against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. Fox News and The New York Times reported that he is the first player to skate an entire three-on-three overtime period since the National Hockey League began tracking shift data in the 2009-10 season. [1][3]

The Islanders built a 3-0 lead before the Predators responded with three unanswered goals to force the overtime period, Fox News reported. DAZN reported that the Islanders ultimately won the game in a shootout. Following the match, New York Islanders coach Pete DeBoer described Schaefer as a difference-making player, according to NDTV Sports. [1][2][5]

Schaefer was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL entry draft after playing junior hockey for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team in August 2025 and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie for the 2025-26 season. [1][6][8]