Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders has tied the NHL record for the most goals scored by a rookie defenseman, netting his 23rd goal of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. This milestone matches the record set by Hall of Famer Brian Leetch during the 1988-89 season. Schaefer's goal, which occurred at 9:39 of the second period, helped the Islanders take a 3-2 lead in the game. The 18-year-old defenseman has had an impressive rookie season, ranking second on the team with 59 points, showcasing his offensive prowess from the blue line. This goal also marked the end of a brief scoring drought for Schaefer, who was selected first overall in last year's draft. He has already set multiple age-based records and is now just one goal away from surpassing Leetch's record. Schaefer is a strong candidate for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year.