New York Islanders Review: Leafs Score Seven Goals for Win

In one of their most meaningful games of the season, the New York Islanders dropped their first game to the Maple Leafs all season, in a truly embarrassing fashion.

The New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs went back and forth for the first couple minutes of the game. Real solid hockey from both clubs but the Leafs came away with a few golden scoring chances. And ultimately the two points.

Thanks to Thomas Greiss, Dennis Seidenberg and the post on a number of occasions the score remained tied.

At the 11:36 mark of the first Josh Leivo broke the tie after an Adam Pelech turnover in the neutral zone. The Maple Leafs never looked back.

The Isles offense buzzed after the Toronto goal but couldn’t find the back of the net. New York hit three posts in the final ten minutes of the first.

Frederick Andersen was also sharp early for Toronto.

The Lul That Was Comming

With 32 seconds left in the period, Nikita Zaitsev ripped a shot from the point that trickled towards the goal and was tipped in by Nazem Kadri.

New York Islanders

The Islanders played a rough first period in the defensive zone. They left lanes wide open for the Leafs and were unable to generate enough time in the offensive zone.

The Islanders found themselves down 2-0 at the first intermission.

Anderson was sharp again to begin the second. Tavares got denied on a one-timer, followed by great vision from the Toronto netminder on an Islanders four on two.

With 10:34 left in the period the Leafs threw one towards the net that went off Griess, off William Nylander and in. The Isles were in trouble down 3-0 halfway through the game.

The Isles immediately got back to work and Tavares and Bailey led a two on one that was deflected into the stands. They could not buy a goal.

With 3:05 left in the middle frame the Leafs were stopped on a 3 on 1 and Jason Chimera came down with a breakaway on the other end. Chimera was hooked on the play and awarded a penalty shot.

Chimera beat Anderson with a wrister on the penalty shot to put the Islanders on the board. The Toronto crowd was not happy.

The Islanders got a power play at the end of the period but Anderson made a couple more big saves to keep the Leafs lead at two. He was playing much better than last week in Brooklyn.

The Leafs led 3-1 after two.

The Deluge Of The Third

The Isles comeback attempt was halted just six minutes into the 3^rd when Kulemin took a penalty. Auston Matthews would capitalize and help the Leafs regain the four-goal lead.

If you’re counting at home that was 26^th goal of the year for the first overall pick.

For good measure, Tyler Bozak and Matthews tallied two more goals to put Toronto up 6-1. It was not the Islanders night.

After the sixth goal, Weight took Greiss out in favor of J.F. Berube. Shortly into Berube’s entrance into the game, old buddy Matt Martin tipped one home to put the Leafs up a touchdown.

It was the second time this season the Islanders allowed seven goals.

Next: Remember What the Tie Breaking Rules Are

The Isles will get back to work Thursday when they host the Rangers in Brooklyn, where hopefully they can get back to winning ways and continue to claw their way back to a playoff spot. Hopefully.