Matthew Schaefer lauded by Patrick Roy, Isles after 'confident' NHL debut

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PITTSBURGH -- Matthew Schaefer jumped onto the darkened ice at PPG Paints Arena and, along with New York Islanders teammate Max Shabanov, took the traditional solo lap every player makes before their NHL debut.

It's the only time the 18-year-old Schaefer looked like a rookie all night during New York's 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

Confident and poised from the opening faceoff, the top overall pick in the June draft wasted little time showcasing why the Islanders coveted him after the balls bounced their way during the draft lottery.

Schaefer needed all of 12 minutes to collect the first point of his career, making a deft pass from the half wall to Jonathan Drouin in the slot.…