Schaefer's Double Sinks Wild 3-4 as Islanders Win After Overtime in St. Paul

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Two goals from a defenseman, the last landing at minute 61. Matthew Schaefer's winner handed the New York Islanders a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild after overtime at Xcel Energy Center — no lead all night stretched beyond one.

Minnesota struck inside the first minute, Joel Eriksson Ek converting from Kirill Kaprizov for 1-0. Kyle Palmieri's minor at 8 was the first of five penalties, three of them to New York. Schaefer answered at 17 off Emil Heineman, 1-1. Bo Horvat nudged the Islanders ahead at 22, Simon Holmstrom assisting, before Quinn Hughes levelled at 38 with Ryan Hartman supplying the pass. One-all after one, two-all after two — symmetry written into the period scores.

Adam Pelech authored the third period's twist: a two-minute minor at 45, then an unassisted go-ahead goal at 48, 2-3. Matt Boldy replied unassisted at 57, 3-3, and overtime followed. There Jean-Gabriel Pageau — penalized back at 27 — delivered the setup, Schaefer the finish. Each of the first three periods had produced one goal per side; the fourth needed only one.

Schaefer's ledger: two goals, one assist, six shots, zero penalty minutes. Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves behind him; Jesper Wallstedt made 22 at the other end. New York converted one of two power plays, Minnesota none of three. Quinn Hughes added a goal and an assist on four shots, Matt Boldy scored and closed plus-2, Jonas Brodin chipped in a helper — yet the home side's extras went begging.

Five penalties, seven goals, 61 minutes of hockey in St. Paul — the extra point went east with Schaefer's name on it, twice.