Auston Matthews' record goal not enough as Isles best Leafs in OT

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd January, 23:32 2026

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders

Jan 3, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) celebrates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

Auston Matthews became the Toronto Maple Leafs' all-time leading goal scorer Saturday night, but Matthew Schaefer scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, as the New York Islanders earned a 4-3 win in Elmont, N.Y.

Schaefer, the No. 1 pick in June's draft, tied the score at 2-all in the second before collecting the game-winner off a nifty pass from Mathew Barzal with 49 seconds left in overtime.

Adam Pelech scored the game's first goal in the second and Emil Heineman forced overtime for the Islanders, who have won four of six (4-2-0). David Rittich made 18 saves.

Nicolas Robertson scored in the third for the Maple Leafs, who extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2). Joseph Woll recorded 21 saves.

Matthews tied Mats Sundin with his 420th career goal with an impressive unassisted game-tying tally 9:30 into the second. The Maple Leafs captain picked up a loose puck in the Islanders' zone and skated around Scott Mayfield while keeping the puck at stick's length before he tucked a shot into the net while skating across the crease.

Matthews collected the record-breaking goal, putting the Maple Leafs ahead with 2:41 remaining in the period, when he took a cross-ice pass from Bobby McMann and fired a shot beyond Rittich's glove.

Matthews, who has 20 goals this season, grinned broadly and raised his arms while Oliver Ekman-Larsson raced over for an embrace. The Maple Leafs spilled on to the ice and mobbed Matthews against the boards across from their bench.

The 28-year-old broke Sundin's record in his 664th regular-season game -- 317 fewer than the Hall of Famer needed to set the record from 1994-2008.

Following Matthews' milestone goal, Schaefer tied the score with a Matthews-esque goal 11:10 into the third. Schaefer skated around Max Domi and Morgan Rielly before darting into the crease and nudging a shot past Woll.

Toronto took the lead at 12:12, when Nicolas Roy stole the puck from Heineman behind the Islanders' net and fed Robertson, who beat Rittich from point-blank range.

Heineman redeemed himself by scoring the tying goal from the right faceoff circle with 2:45 left.

--Field Level Media