So when Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov roughed up the 2025 No. 1 overall pick on Tuesday, Nov. 4, his teammates jumped in to his defense.
Zadorov was called for interference against Schaefer in the second period. When the Islanders rookie got up to his knees, Zadorov objected to his stick being held and delivered a shot to Schaefer’s face.
As Schaefer fell, Islanders players went after Zadorov.
When the scrum ended, Zadorov received three penalties (interference and roughing against Schaefer and Anders Lee). Lee and Anthony Duclair were called for roughing Zadorov.
Schaefer, the NHL rookie of the month for October, showed his value in the third period when he came out of the penalty box and assisted on a goal by Bo Horvat.
He had points in his first six NHL games and a two-goal game on Nov. 2. He has 11 points in 13 games.
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