Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer Explains His Post-Win Goalie Ritual

NEW YORK, NY -- Being a goaltender in the NHL is one of the most high-pressure positions in professional sports. 

It's a high-risk, high-reward job, but someone's got to do it. That's why, at the end of every game, all the players—including the backup goaltender—get on a line to give the starting netminder some love.

On Saturday, plenty of people noticed that New York Islanders superstar defenseman and superhuman Matthew Schaefer congratulated Ilya Sorokin on his 37-game shutout, but instead of leaving the ice, he hopped back on the line to give the 2025-26 Vezina finalist some more love. 

Apparently, this has become a common theme between No. 48 and his netminders.

“Yeah, I'm always in it twice. Yeah, I'm a big twice guy," Schaefer said following Tuesday's morning skate. "I love giving it. I love giving it twice so I can give some extra hugs to the goalie for all they do.” 

Also, before every game and after every goal, Schaefer will skate over to his goaltender to give him a fist bump. 

So much has been said about Schaefer the person. He's such a pure individual and truly acts like a kid having the time of his life. But it's not an act. 

This is just Schaefer and the Islanders are truly lucky that he dons the Blue & Orange.