Strong Debuts for Schaefer and Shabanov
The New York Islanders may have fallen 4-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener, but there were several bright spots for the team, particularly the performances of their newest players.
Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders' 1st overall draft pick, made his NHL debut at just 18 years old and made an immediate impact. Schaefer recorded a point by assisting on a goal, becoming the youngest defenseman in Islanders history to record a point in his debut.
Joining Schaefer in making his NHL debut was fellow blueliner Maxim Shabanov. The 22-year-old Russian also picked up an assist in the game, showing poise and skill in his first taste of NHL action.
Drouin's Costly Cross-Check
While the young guns impressed, veteran forward Jonathan Drouin found himself in hot water with the league. Drouin received an over-the-phone hearing with NHL Player Safety after cross-checking Penguins forward Connor Dewar during the game. Given the league's emphasis on cracking down on dangerous cross-checks, Drouin could be facing a suspension, which would be his first in his 9-year NHL career.
Positives Despite the Loss
Despite the 4-3 defeat, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy found plenty of positives to build on. Forwards Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, and Kyle Palmieri all scored goals, showcasing the team's offensive firepower. In net, Semyon Varlamov made 34 saves and kept the Islanders in the game.
The Islanders will look to rebound in their next outing as they continue to integrate their new talent into the lineup.
TL;DR
- Islanders rookies Matthew Schaefer and Maxim Shabanov made strong NHL debuts in the season opener
- Forward Jonathan Drouin faces a potential suspension for a cross-checking incident
- The Islanders showed offensive potential despite the 4-3 loss to the Penguins