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Instant Reaction: Matthew Schaefer spoils Leafs’ Auston Matthews’ record-setting game

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It was a tale of two prodigies on Saturday night, as New York Islanders rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer spoiled a record-setting night by Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.

Matthews scored twice in the second period, surpassing Mats Sundin for the Maple Leafs’ franchise record for goals. Toronto’s bench poured onto the ice to mob Matthews afterwards. Although the game ended in crushing fashion, Matthews is rounding into form, with five goals in his past two contests.

Here is Matthews’ record-setting goal:

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Matthews’ first goal was a thing of beauty as well, blazing to the outside before tucking the puck past David Rittich to tie the game. It was an incredible night for Matthews, but it was spoilt in the end by Schaefer.

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We’ve been burying the lede: Schaefer is as exciting as any player entering the league, since Matthews. We were readily anticipating tonight’s contest, and Schaefer exceeded expectations. With the game and storyline belonging to Matthews, Schaefer upstaged his elder, scoring twice, including a beautiful game-winner in overtime.

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Schaefer’s first goal was tremendous, using his all-world speed to make the Leafs look downright silly. The rookie sensation took off through the neutral zone and swept around Morgan Rielly, before tucking the puck past an outstretched Joseph Woll. It may have been the finest goal of Schaefer’s rookie season, and we’ll argue in this space that he should’ve been selected to Canada’s Olympic team this week.

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Of course, there are other parts to discuss. Toronto controlled play in the first period, then Adam Pelech opened the scoring for the Islanders in the second frame, before Matthews notched two consecutive goals. Schaefer tied the game in the third period, Nick Robertson restored the lead, before Emil Heineman forced overtime with just over four minutes remaining in regulation.

Anything that doesn’t involve Matthews or Schaefer may be reduced to noise. Matthews is one of the most prolific goal scorers of his generation and can be firmly considered one of the greatest players in franchise history. He’s in the middle of his career, although he now faces the toughest challenge he’s encountered in a decade, in trying to steer the Leafs back to the playoffs.

There may be no ceiling for Schaefer. He’s having one of the best rookie campaigns in recent memory and the Islanders are suddenly one of the NHL’s most exciting teams to watch. It was a tale of two prodigies, and the 18-year-old got the last laugh on Saturday.