DETROIT — Cal Ritchie has not been Matthew Schaefer, which is to say his introduction into the NHL has gone on what you might call a normal pathway.

There have been flashes of the 21-year-old’s prodigious talent. There have been moments when he’s struggled.

It has not gone in a straight line, but he looks more at home now than he did when he first got to the Islanders three weeks ago.

Scoring his first goal with the Isles in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Stars will certainly give the rookie a psychological boost to go with his improved play, too.

Cal Ritchie celebrates after scoring a goal in the Islanders’ 3-2 win over the Stars on Nov. 18, 2025. AP

Ritchie arrived in the low slot just in time to slam in Anthony Duclair’s feed at 10:31 of the second to open the scoring in a game that

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