Schmidt and Schaefer Meet for First Time in New York Derby as Rangers Win 5-2
The New York Rangers beat the Islanders 5-2 at home for their fourth straight win. The game marked the first meeting of the NHL's two youngest defensemen, Latvia's Alberts Smits and Matthew Schaefer.
In the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Rangers defeated their city rivals, the Islanders, 5-2 at home. It was the team's fourth consecutive victory, and their start to the season on home ice has so far been unbeaten.
All of the Rangers' goals came from two forwards. Alexis Lafreniere scored a hat-trick, while Olivier Bjorkstrand netted his first two goals in a Rangers sweater, including the game-winner on the power play. Vladislav Gavrikov added two assists, and goaltender Igor Shesterkin stopped 17 of 19 shots.
Smits' performance
Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits played on the third defensive pairing alongside Braden Schneider. He spent 15 minutes and 27 seconds on the ice, took 21 shifts and played entirely at even strength. Smits blocked one shot, had one takeaway and one giveaway, and all three of his shots missed the net. He recorded no points and took two penalty minutes, but finished the game with a plus-minus of +1.
In the first period, Smits worked effectively with the puck deep in the offensive zone, which was highlighted by a Rangers commentator. In the second period, after prolonged pressure from the visitors, the Latvian got into a scuffle with Casey Cizikas. Both received two penalty minutes, so the Rangers did not go shorthanded. The Latvian's play continues to improve from game to game.
A historic comparison
Smits, aged 18 years and 308 days, is the youngest defenseman in the NHL. In the 2026-27 season he met the league's second-youngest defenseman for the first time: Islanders blueliner Matthew Schaefer, aged 19 years and 31 days. It was the first New York derby in which both teams dressed a defenseman who had not yet turned 20.
