Matthew Schaefer scored two roof-raising goals in Saturday night’s win despite feeling unwell with what at least one report said was the flu. As he missed Monday’s practice and was listed “day to day (illness),” I’m struck that I’m not so much concerned that the Isles are less likely to win with him out of the lineup as I am concerned that Islanders games are much less fun to watch without him.
I think that’s what’s so fun about this season, whichever way it leads (and I’m still not feeling like it leads to playoffs, current standings be damned): Matthew Schaefer is just plain fun to watch. He logs a lot of minutes as a defenseman; he wows with his break-the-mold approach that only a handful of defensemen at any age can do and get away with in the NHL; and of course his personality, approach and maturity is not what you expect from an 18-year-old superstar-in-the-making.
So anyway, Schaefer is a gameday decision for tonight’s meeting with the Devils. This is the final game before a very, very long trip.
Last night’s scores included the Capitals winning, the Rangers losing in overtime and the Wings passing the Senators in regulation.