Leaf takeaways: First win for Jim Hiller breaks a Scotiabank curse

Published Oct 01, 2026  •  4 minute read

Darren Raddysh #43 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Victor Eklund #38 of the New York Islanders in the third period at Scotiabank Arena on September 30, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Chris Tanouye /Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Article content

The Maple Leafs are back in the win column, though they still need work on their finishing touch. 

Article content

Article content

Wednesday’s 2-1 triumph over the New York Islanders got dicey in the last six minutes, when it looked like back-to-back games might catch up to them. But Anthony Stolarz kept the door slammed shut and some lesser lights supplied offence and grit. 

Our takeaways from a close call at Scotiabank Arena: 

Stolie the goalie’s support system 

Stolarz didn’t much care it had been close to a calendar year since his first home win. That was way back in November against Utah before he was hurt and the Leafs nosedived out of the playoff race. 

“Just forget about last season,” he declared after his 26 saves against New York. “We’re focused on this year.” 

Which he hopes will be a lot like 2023-24, when he and Sergei Bobrovsky were an effective tandem in a second straight Stanley Cup for Florida. The latter signed for three years here despite turning 38, while Stolarz’s big contract saw him spared from the summer sweep of Toronto’s roster. 

Article content

Article content

This week’s goalie rotation was probably set when the NHL schedule came out in July. Big-name Bob would draw the Canadiens in the opener; he played well in the 3-2 loss, while Stolarz had months to prep for the Islanders.     

“In Florida, that’s how it worked; I got the second of the back-to-back. When your name’s called, you answer the bell and I take a lot of pride in that.” 

Stolarz had the fatherly role last year for Joseph Woll and Artur Akhtyamov. He appreciated his shot at No. 1 so late in his career, but he’s cool being a sidekick again to a future Hall of Famer. 

“He’s a great goalie, a hell of a person and we get along really well,” Stolarz said. “I chit-chat with him, talk shop; it’s definitely refreshing for me and extremely, extremely helpful for this team with his professionalism and the way he goes about his business.” 

Bob tries for his first win Saturday against Ottawa, while Stolarz has set himself up for consideration next week when Nashville comes in. 

Article content

Easton Cowan #53 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his first period goal against the New York Islanders with his teammates at Scotiabank Arena on September 30, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)

Easton a beast on the puck 

Though first overall pick Gavin McKenna is going through the rookie wringer, Easton Cowan has been able to blaze through his second NHL camp and make a huge impression on his new coach. So much so that when the staff looked at a left winger for two veterans purposely acquired for a new third line, Colton Sissons and centre Nick Paul, Cowan got the job. The trio started for Hiller against Bo Horvat’s line.  

“Everybody was collaborative (about Cowan); it went up through John (Chayka) and Mats (Sundin) and we talk about all this stuff with the coaches. It looked pretty good tonight. We gave them a harder match (than Montreal). 

“I really didn’t have a good read on Cowan coming in. I watched him (work out) through the summer and on video. His confidence and skating were the things I’d been told about. What I like is that he’s really determined, really early coming to the rink and being serious.” 

Cowan came out of the corner with the puck to feed Paul’s shot that Sissons tipped on the goal. On the second power-play unit, he was alone net-front when Morgan Rielly knocked down a clearing attempt that led to Jack Roslovic’s shot and rebound. ‘Cowboy’ had 90 seconds of penalty kill time, too, though flagged for three giveaways. 

Article content

Hiller okay with winning the hard way 

It did seem forever since Takin’ Care of Business rocked the speakers at SBA, signalling a Leaf win. The death march of last spring included seven straight defeats, home and away, with March 25 versus the Rangers the last one on Bay Street.  

After dropping the opener to Montreal, the Leafs will be trying for their first divisional win here since January against the Sens. The NHL schedule maker actually did Toronto a favour, outside of the demanding back-to-back launch this week, by giving it four at home to help get the half dozen newbies settled in their new city. Earning a split by next Tuesday is important. 

While Chayka forecasted the Leafs would be in good shape by November if they survive two elongated Western road trips in October, the two late September games, both decided by a goal, have already aged Hiller and his staff. 

“We were a little disconnected at times,” Hiller said after a long swig of water. “But it’s great to see that kind of a win. You’d like the easy ones, trust me. But standing at the bench, you appreciate the hardness, the blocked shots (21 Wednesday), the desperation. Those ones feel pretty good.” 

[email protected] 

X: @sunhornby  

Article content