Deadspin: Matthew Schaefer’s Overtime Winner Lifts Islanders Past Wild in Saint Paul

Schaefer decides it in overtime

On a two-on-one rush, Schaefer held onto the puck and sent a rising wrist shot past Wild goaltender Wallstedt’s right shoulder. The goal came 33 seconds into the extra period and secured the Islanders’ 4-3 win.

A back-and-forth scoreline

Minnesota opened the scoring just 27 seconds after the first faceoff. Kirill Kaprizov set up Joel Eriksson Ek for a wrist shot from the high slot. New York tied the game late in the first when Schaefer converted a rebound after Wallstedt stopped Emil Heineman’s close-range attempt. Bo Horvat put the Islanders ahead on a second-period power play, redirecting Simon Holmstrom’s shot near the crease.

Quinn Hughes evened the score for Minnesota later in the second, beating Sorokin with a backhand from a sharp angle. Hughes finished with a goal and an assist.

Late goals force extra time

Adam Pelech restored New York’s lead with 12:46 left in the third period. His long-range shot changed direction off Wild forward Michael McCarron’s shin pad and went past Wallstedt.

Minnesota drew level with 3:53 remaining. Matt Boldy stole the puck, carried it toward the left crease and scored with a wrist shot. Pelech and Horvat each scored once for the Islanders. Eriksson Ek and Boldy supplied Minnesota’s other goals, while the loss ended the Wild’s three-game winning streak.