Matthew Schaefer's more focused on winning than homecoming against Toronto for Islanders

There is, Matthew Schaefer explained, natural excitement.

And how could there not be? For the first time in his NHL career, the presumptive Calder Trophy front-runner will be able to play in front of family and friends in Toronto.

But in the next breath, the 18-year-old stressed that the anticipation is tempered by the twin realities that the Islanders are in a heated playoff race and points are vital.

“Every game matters,” Schaefer said after practice at Northwell Health Ice Center on Monday before the team boarded a flight to Canada’s largest city ahead of  Tuesday night’s game. “Every game is a playoff game. Every game means a lot.”

The Islanders (38-24-5) are two points behind the Penguins (34-18-15) and two points ahead of the Blue Jackets (34-21-11), who have a game in hand. Columbus is the first team under the Eastern Conference playoff cut line. Pittsburgh is in second place in the Metropolitan Division and the Islanders are third.

Schaefer, who grew up an hour outside of Toronto in Hamilton, was unsure exactly how many family members, friends and acquaintances will be at Scotiabank Arena to see him play, but he said there will be a private box for those closest to him.

“It’s nuts,” Schaefer said. “Just lots of people are coming.”

Playing in his hometown for the first time as a professional will be an experience that his more seasoned teammates already have had.

“It’s a really special moment,” Anders Lee said. “You get to have as many friends as possible and family that can attend the game. It’s also going to be on local TV, so anyone who can’t make it can watch it. A lot of the people that helped you along the way from your hometown get to share in that moment with you. It’s extremely special.”

In Schaefer’s case, along with catching up with those in his life, there will be the questions from Toronto reporters at the Islanders’ morning skate and after the game.

Which prompted a question:

How will he balance preparing for this game with all of the ancillary responsibilities that go with it?

“I don’t think he has a problem with that,” Scott Mayfield said. “He’s kind of had that all year, being the first overall pick and the media attention on him. He’s handled it pretty well.”

Varlamov’s injury revealed

Semyon Varlamov had “two knee replacement” surgeries, coach Patrick Roy said Monday in response to a question about the goaltender taking shots from teammates at the end of the 45-minute session.

Varlamov, who last played on Nov. 29, 2024, is on long-term injured reserve. In his Zoom call with reporters after the trade deadline, general manager Mathieu Darche said the Islanders do not expect the 37-year-old to play this season.

Varlamov has been skating on his own for most of the 2025-26 season, and Monday was the first time he was able to join teammates on the ice. The goaltender has one year remaining on the four-year, $11 million contract he signed with the Islanders on July 1, 2023.

“I expect to be ready for next season,” Varlamov said during his availability on breakup day last April. “Everything is going well with the rehab and the physical therapy. The main focus for me is to finish the rehab hopefully soon and have a good summer of training.”

Max Shabanov is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, the team announced.