The Toronto Maple Leafs (2-3-1) are in New York to take on the Islanders (4-1-0).
Toronto is looking to rebound after two back-to-back losses against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday and Saturday with a better effort against the Islanders tonight.
Toronto’s top lines have come under fire for not producing and need to pick up their output if the team is to improve their recent play. New York has been playing well, but has allowed 3.00 goals a game, ranking them 19th in the league, just ahead of the Maple Leafs in 20th place.
Where they are succeeding is in goal scoring, ranked second in the league just behind the Pittsburgh Penguins at 3.80 goals per game. Toronto’s offence isn’t where it should be based on its talent level, languishing in 18th position (2.50g/game).
This could very well be a wide open game; neither team is what you would call a defensive juggernaut, but both possess some high-end talent that can skate.
The Maple Leafs website has Carter Ashton slotted in to play his first game this season. I have not seen it reported anywhere else, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
MAPLE LEAFS
Forwards
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Joffrey Lupul – Nazem Kadri – Daniel Winnik
Leo Komarov – Mike Santorelli – David Clarkson
Richard Panik – Peter Holland – Matt Frattin
Defence
Dion Phaneuf – Cody Franson
Morgan Rielly – Roman Polak
Jake Gardiner – Stephane Robidas
Goal
Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer
Scratched: Carter Ashton, Stuart Percy
Injured: Brandon Kozun (ankle), David Booth (foot)
ISLANDERS
Forwards
Cory Conacher – John Tavares – Kyle Okposo
Josh Bailey – Frans Nielsen – Ryan Strome
Nikolay Kulemin – Brock Nelson – Cal Clutterbuck
Matt Martin – Casey Cizikas – Colin McDonald
Defence
Nick Leddy – Johnny Boychuk
Thomas Hickey – Travis Hamonic
Calvin de Haan – Brian Strait
Goal
Jaroslav Halak
Chad Johnson
Scratched: Eric Boulton, Matt Donovan
