Islanders get into heated scuffle with Bruins after Nikita Zadorov knocks down Matthew Schaefer

The Islanders want to put the rest of the league on notice:

Do. Not. Touch. The. Kid.

Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov learned the lesson to his chagrin on Tuesday night at UBS Arena, when he knocked down rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer behind Boston’s goal.

He was promptly greeted by Anders Lee, Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, all of whom attempted to tackle him at once.

Once the fracas was sorted out, Lee and Duclair had taken roughing penalties, but the Islanders ended up on the power play, with Zadorov being handed an interference and a double-minor for roughing.

More important to the Isles, though, is protecting the 18-year-old rookie, who is the franchise’s crown jewel.

Boston is not the first team to try and put a target on Schaefer’s back, nor is this the first time the Islanders have responded in such a way, though this was perhaps the most enthusiastic instance.

Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins checks Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders in the second period during their game at UBS Arena on November 4, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Getty Images

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) gets some attention and rough play that ended in a fight when his teammates came to his defense during the second period. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Given the prodigious skill Schaefer has shown through the season’s first 13 games, it is to be expected that teams try to intimidate him, and the defenseman has shrugged it off when asked.

Still, this is unlikely to be the last such instance.