GAMEDAY: Maple Leafs, Islanders hook up on Long Island for rematch

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Published Jan 02, 2025  •  Last updated 1 minute ago  •  2 minute read

Chris Tanev will be in the lineup against the Islanders tonight. Photo by Elsa /Getty Images

Toronto Maple Leafs (23-13-2) vs. New York Islanders (14-17-7)

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When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., UBS Arena

TV: SNO Radio: The Fan 590

Odds: Maple Leafs -122, Islanders -101

The buzz

The clubs go right back at it, two days after the Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 3-1 in Toronto … Two thoughts for the Leafs: Try to draw as many penalties as you can and if you take a few yourselves, don’t despair. Somehow, the Islanders are last in the National Hockey League both in power-play efficiency and penalty-killing. That’s not easy to do … New York has lost six of its past nine games. Toronto has won four of its past five road games … Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev will be at his usual spot on the Toronto blue line after he took a puck off the mouth during the second period on Tuesday. “I don’t think there is a guy in the league who is more willing than him to get in front of pucks,” said Jake McCabe, Tanev’s defence partner. “It was off my stick and deflected into his mouth. He is just a frickin’ warrior.” … When John Tavares scored into an empty net to seal the Leafs’ win on Tuesday, it was his 13th point (seven goals and six assists) in 16 games against his former team … There’s no truth to the rumour that Isles coach Patrick Roy is going to pull his goalie for every defensive-zone faceoff.

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The news

Leafs coach Craig Berube didn’t close the door on Pontus Holmberg returning to the lineup after the latter missed the game on Tuesday with an illness. Holmberg didn’t practise on Wednesday … Defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be in the Leafs lineup after he was scratched on Tuesday because he was sick. Expect Conor Timmins to sit.

The quote

“I think we gave up two chances in the third, which is very good, protected the lead very well. But listen, it was a battle, a pretty physical game. I expect the same (on Thursday).”

— Leafs coach Craig Berube, on the win against the Isles on Tuesday and looking ahead to the rematch

The poll

With 23 goals in 38 games, William Nylander is on pace for 50. Where do you put chances to hit the milestone for the first time in his NHL career?

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1. Great. Expect a big finish
2. Will be touch and go
3. I’d say 45 is realistic
4. Lucky to get 40 again

The projected Leafs lineup

Forwards

Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-Mitch Marner

Matthew Knies-David Kampf-William Nylander

Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson

Steven Lorentz-Connor Dewar-Ryan Reaves

Defence

Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev

Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers

Simon Benoit—Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Goal

Joseph Woll

Dennis Hildeby

The injuries

TOR: C Auston Matthews (upper body), G Anthony Stolarz (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee), F Pontus Holmberg (sick).

NYI: G Semyon Varlamov (lower body), RW Simon Holmstrom (upper body), D Mike Reilly (heart).

The prediction

The Leafs complete the mini-sweep with a 4-2 win.

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