WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Matthew Schaefer getting hurt was the absolute nightmare scenario for the Islanders — one they were more than happy to avoid.
And there was Schaefer skating across the ice just 4:20 into Tuesday night’s game, going up the tunnel and into the room.
Schaefer appeared to take a hit from Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey on the play that ended with Kyle Connor’s opening goal.
The MSG broadcast reported he was taken off by the concussion spotter, but returned at 16:40 of the opening frame for a one minute-plus shift.
Schaefer, 18, has been a huge part of the Islanders’ resurgent season, immediately becoming the face of the franchise upon being drafted first overall last summer.
He’s the frontrunner for the Calder Trophy and is on his way to one of the best rookie seasons for a defenseman in history.
The Islanders are already without Bo Horvat due to a lower-body injury, and have lost Kyle Palmieri (ACL) and Alexander Romanov (right shoulder) for the season.
Matthew Schaefer was knocked down during the first period on Tuesday night.
Adding Schaefer to the list is something they simply cannot afford.
