For the first time since Cale Makar entered the NHL, there was a young defenseman on the other side of the ice who made you think, “that guy kind of looks like Cale.”

Yes, there’s only one Cale Makar, but Matthew Schaefer looks pretty special.

In Colorado’s 4-1 win to the New York Islanders on Sunday evening, we got our first look at the two defensemen on the ice together. As the 18-year-old Schaefer effortlessly glided up and down the ice, it wasn’t hard to see why the young defensemen is compared to the reigning Norris Trophy winner.

If we can see it, you can bet the players and coaches do as well.

“Yes, I do (see it),” Jared Bednar said. “(Schaefer) is a great skater, great hands, likes to get involved in the play. Like most young offensive defensemen, he’s got lots of get up and go. He’s making a huge impact on their team in a short amount of time and producing at a high rate. He’s going to be a real good one.”

Going to be? There’s a good argument to be made that he already is.

Entering Sunday’s game, Makar led all NHL defensemen in assists and points. The man standing between Makar and the league lead in goals for defensemen is Schaefer, who has seven goals in his first 18 NHL games and is averaging over 22 minutes a night. No young defenseman has made this sort of impact on their team since, well, Makar.

Jonathan Drouin spent the past two seasons playing with Makar and now resides on Long Island, where he’s gotten to see Schaefer grow over the last few months. He also sees it.

“The skating, for sure,” Drouin said. “Playing with Cale, he’s at another level. Obviously been in the league a little longer, but what (Schaefer) has been doing his first year as a rookie, it’s very impressive. The skating is very similar. They have that speed to get away from a lot of guys and create a rush.”

There’s one guy who doesn’t want to put the burden of a Cale Makar comparison on Schaefer, though.

His head coach.

“I’m not going to compare the two of them,” Avalanche legend and current Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “I will say this: (Schaefer) has been outstanding … every day you see something different from him. What I really love about his game is he’s playing both sides. He’s not just an offensive guy, he’s playing both sides, and I think that’s what Makar does for the Avs as well.”

What Schaefer is doing is relatively unprecedented. As good as Makar immediately was when he stepped foot on the ice for his first NHL game back in the Spring of 2019, he did so as a 20-year old. Schaefer is just 18 and will be that age for the entirety of his rookie campaign.

Game respects game.

“It’s pretty spectacular what he’s been able to do so far,” Makar said on Friday before playing with him for the first time.

And yes, you are allowed to feel old, because we have reached the point where the 27-year-old Makar is now someone that young defensemen in the NHL “grew up” watching and modeled their game after.

“Everyone has their own game, but (Makar) is such a talented player,” Schaefer said. “Watching him grow up a bit, he’s so smooth, he’s so smart. I mean, he’s one of the best. It’s fun to watch him and learn.”

Makar isn’t about to give up his spot atop the throne as the NHL’s best defenseman any time soon, but Schaefer looks like he’ll be joining him amongst the NHL’s elite in the very near future.

Avalanche 4, Islanders 1

What happened: Not their best game, but the Avalanche keep rolling thanks to a 74-second stretch in the second period.

What went right: Brock Nelson picked up a goal and an assist to take down his former team. With four points in his last three games, he’s starting to hit his groove.

What went wrong: All the fans who double-dipped on Sunday with the Broncos and Avalanche game didn’t give the players on the ice much of a jolt, as the first period was extremely sleepy with very little action.

Avalanche goal scorers: Colton (3), Olofsson (6), Necas (13), Nelson (5)

Islanders goal scorers: Heineman (9)

Between the pipes: Another great game from Scott Wedgewood, who stopped 28 of 29 in the win.

What’s next: The Avalanche finish their home stand on Thursday when the Rangers come to town for a 7 p.m. game.