Islanders' Matthew Schaefer Sets Overtime Ice Time Record

Matthew Schaefer becomes the first skater on record to play a full five-minute overtime period.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Hockey

Islanders' Matthew Schaefer Sets Overtime Ice Time Record

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Is it wise for star players to play every second of overtime during the regular season?

New York Islanders skater Matthew Schaefer played the entire five-minute overtime period against the Nashville Predators on October 27, 2026. The 19-year-old helped the Islanders secure a 4-3 shootout victory.

Why it matters

Schaefer's endurance marks a unique historical moment in NHL record-keeping, as he is the first player to stay on the ice for the full duration of a three-on-three overtime period.

Schaefer logged 32 minutes and 16 seconds of total ice time while recording 4 shot attempts during the overtime frame. The NHL has tracked real-time time-on-ice data since the 2009-10 season.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

He is a 19-year-old skater for the New York Islanders who recently established a league record for overtime ice time.

Casey Cizikas

He is a veteran forward for the New York Islanders who previously held the team record for the most ice time during a single overtime period.

Filip Forsberg

He is a forward for the Nashville Predators who was assessed a tripping penalty during the overtime period.

Semyon Varlamov

He is a veteran goaltender for the New York Islanders who earned his first win since November 2024 in this game.

Bo Horvat

He is a forward for the New York Islanders who scored a goal assisted by Matthew Schaefer.

The details

Schaefer remained on the ice for the entire duration of the three-on-three period and also drew a tripping penalty on Filip Forsberg. Additionally, he contributed offensively by assisting on a Bo Horvat goal during the second period.

2009-10 season: The NHL began tracking real-time time-on-ice data.
March 9, 2023: Casey Cizikas set the previous team overtime record of 4:50.
November 14, 2024: Date of Semyon Varlamov's previous NHL win.
October 27, 2026: Matthew Schaefer set the new overtime ice time record.

Season Trajectory

This performance represents a significant outlier in modern three-on-three hockey, which usually relies on frequent line rotations to manage fatigue. The milestone sets a high bar for endurance and highlights the evolving tactical reliance on individual stars during overtime.

Schaefer's massive 32-minute workload suggests he is currently a primary pillar in the Islanders' defensive rotation and power play units. Fantasy hockey managers should monitor his high usage rates as a potential indicator of sustained production for the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

Schaefer's record-breaking night demonstrates the extreme reliance on top-tier talent during the high-stakes three-on-three overtime format. This rare feat underscores the physical demands placed on modern NHL skaters in compressed game scenarios.