William Nylander had two objectives and two assists because the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the slumping New York Islanders 5-2 on Monday night time.
John Tavares, with a objective and an help, Calle Jarnkrok and Auston Matthews additionally scored for Toronto (29-11-8), which bought 31 saves — and a key setup — from Ilya Samsonov. Justin Holl added two assists.
Anders Lee had each objectives for New York (23-21-5). Ilya Sorokin stopped 33 photographs because the Islanders dropped to 1-6-3 over their final 10.
Down 2-1 within the second interval, Toronto evened issues up on an influence play at 7:53 when Samsonov caught the Islanders on an extended change with a stretch cross. Nylander shortly fed Tavares, who moved in alone and backhanded his twenty first objective of the season upstairs in opposition to the group that drafted him first total in 2009.
The Leafs, who misplaced 3-2 in time beyond regulation to the Islanders on the identical ice on Nov. 21, then took their first lead 1:40 later when Nylander used a fragile flip cross to ship Jarnkrok in alone to attain his eleventh.
Sorokin stopped a Michael Bunting penalty shot later within the interval, however Nylander buried his second of the night time and twenty sixth total at 16:32 after stealing the puck from Scott Mayfield within the offensive zone.
Matthews put issues to mattress together with his twenty fifth at 7:44 of the third on a breakaway off a Holl cross.
New York, which has dropped under the playoff cutline, opened the scoring with 22.2 seconds left within the first when Lee swatted house a unfastened puck within the crease for his sixteenth after Brock Nelson’s shot glanced off the Samsonov’s shoulder and hit the submit.
WATCH | Nylander leads Maple Leafs previous Islanders:
Maple Leafs defeat Islanders as Nylander leads the way in which
Toronto beats New York 5-2, William Nylander information two objectives and two assists within the second interval.
The Toronto goaltender was sharp on quite a few probabilities earlier within the interval, together with a terrific blocker cease at full stretch on Casey Cizikas.
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe tweaked his top-6 ahead group in the course of the intermission, reuniting Tavares and Nylander, and slotting Mitch Marner alongside Matthews.
The influence was nearly fast.
Toronto tied it at 5:07 of the second when Nylander ripped his twenty fifth off the push after a pleasant play from Tavares, however Lee restored New York’s benefit 1:10 in a while a one-timer that fooled Samsonov earlier than the house aspect pushed again.
Samsonov on a run
The Russian made his third straight begin and fourth straight look. Samsonov entered Monday with a 14-4-2 file and a .919 save share, whereas Matt Murray was 11-5-0 with a .911 save share as a part of Toronto’s two-headed goaltending monster. “We’re into the second half of the season,” Keefe stated. “It’s vital to present guys the alternatives once they’ve earned it. Matt will likely be prepared when he will get again in.”
Leafs defenceman T.J. Brodie took half in his first on-ice session with teammates since struggling a rib harm earlier this month. Keefe stated the blueliner will not be out there till not less than Friday when Toronto hosts Ottawa. Brodie has been restricted to only 28 video games in 2022-23 after additionally struggling an indirect harm within the fall.
New York defenceman Samuel Boldoc made his NHL debut. The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., has eight objectives and 26 factors in 40 AHL video games this season. Meanwhile, Islanders winger Kyle Palmieri and blueliner Adam Pelech returned to the lineup after lengthy harm absences.
The Leafs opened a season-long five-game homestand and can play 9 of their subsequent 10 — a stretch damaged up by the all-star break — at Scotiabank Arena. “What I like about it’s the playoff-like schedule the place you are enjoying each different day,” Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly stated. “It’s your probability to place your self right into a rhythm. But there’s not a ton of time to get on the ice between video games or time to have lengthy practices. If your sport is not tight in the appropriate place, it may be tough to get there.”
Up subsequent the Leafs Host the New York Rangers on Wednesday because the Islanders go to Ottawa to face the Senators.
