Islanders' Matthew Schaefer takes dig at Rangers fans after win at MSG

The rookie defenseman celebrates the Islanders' season sweep of their crosstown rivals with a jab at the Rangers' fanbase.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:55am

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The New York Islanders earned a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, completing a season sweep of their crosstown rivals. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored the game-winning goal and later took a dig at the Rangers fans, saying the Islanders' supporters were "way louder" than the home crowd.

Why it matters

The Islanders-Rangers rivalry is one of the fiercest in the NHL, and the Islanders' ability to sweep the season series against their crosstown foes is a significant accomplishment. Schaefer's comments about the fans highlight the passion and intensity surrounding this matchup.

The details

The Islanders' win marked the first time they swept the Rangers in a season series since 2017-18. Carson Soucy scored his first goal as an Islander, while Schaefer netted the game-winner, his fourth such goal of the season - the most among NHL rookies. Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves to earn the victory. Schaefer's goal also moved him past Bobby Orr for the second-most goals by an 18-year-old defenseman, with only Phil Housley's 17 goals in 1982-83 remaining ahead of him.

  • The Islanders earned the 2-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday, January 30, 2026.
  • The Islanders' previous season sweep of the Rangers came in the 2017-18 season.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

A rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders who scored the game-winning goal and took a dig at Rangers fans after the game.

Ilya Sorokin

The Islanders' goaltender who made 20 saves to earn the victory.

Carson Soucy

A defenseman who scored his first goal as an Islander in the win.

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What they’re saying

“The building is full of both fans. It's loud. Our fans are way louder than theirs. It's pretty fun when we go on the board and our fans are cheering”

— Matthew Schaefer, Islanders Defenseman (SNY_Islanders)

What’s next

The Islanders will host the Nashville Predators on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at UBS Arena.

The takeaway

The Islanders' ability to sweep the season series against their crosstown rivals, the Rangers, highlights the intensity of this longstanding NHL rivalry. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer's comments about the Islanders' fans being "way louder" than the Rangers' supporters add further fuel to the fire, showcasing the passion surrounding this matchup.