Rookie Matthew Schaefer and Simon Holmstrom in the final minutes on Sunday, helping the Islanders rally for a 3-2 win.

Matthew Schaefer scored twice to become the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a multigoal game, and the New York Islanders scored two goals in the final 1:07 of the third period to rally past the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 at UBS Arena on Sunday.

It’s been a lot. So here are three takeaways on the Islanders’ 4-5-1 start: The Islanders still have plenty of time to prove they are better than last season, when they missed the playoffs by nine points. Or the two previous seasons, when they squeaked into the postseason, only to be dispatched by the Hurricanes.

But since moving up to the third line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee, Simon Holmstrom has transformed into one of the Islanders’ most productive players, averaging a point per game over

With an assist against Columbus, Horvat added to his team lead of 14 points. The Islanders had a strong night in the dot overall, winning 32-of-47 faceoffs (68.1%). The Islanders continue their three-game homestand with a matchup against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 7PM.

Sunday’s NHL action will see the New York Islanders (5-5-1) take the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-4), starting at 5 p.m. ET at UBS Arena and broadcast on ESPN+. The Islanders rank 16th while the Blue Jackets are fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Ovechkin scored his record-breaking 895th goal against the Islanders on April 6, but Ilya Sorokin — the goalie who allowed it — wouldn't yield to another milestone on this night. He made 13 saves in the first period as Washington made an early push, and only Wilson managed to beat him.

The impact of those two developments, if they stick, will likely far outlast that of Horvat’s game-winner early in the third period, or the eventual 3-1 Islanders win over the Capitals — though, of course, snapping a three-game losing streak and salvaging something from this road trip is far from nothing.

The New York Islanders host the Boston Bruins after Matthew Schaefer's two-goal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Islanders' 3-2 win

Columbus Blue Jackets cough up two late goals 29 seconds apart in gut-wrenching road loss to New York Islanders.