Islanders Eye Bounce Back, Toronto Aims to End Home Losing Streak
Islanders Look to Recover Against Maple Leafs, Toronto Seeks to End Home Struggles
As the NHL regular season enters its final stretch, the New York Islanders (14-16-7) will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-13-2) at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday afternoon. Both teams are under pressure to perform, with New York fighting to climb the Metropolitan Division standings, while Toronto looks to snap a frustrating three-game home losing streak.
This matchup presents an intriguing contrast of recent forms. New York is coming off a tough 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, while Toronto follows a disappointing 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals. Despite their struggles, the Islanders boast a solid 6-4-0 record over their last 10 meetings with the Leafs, making this contest even more compelling.
Islanders Aim to Bounce Back From Loss
The Islanders have been inconsistent of late, following a narrow 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh after an earlier win in their home-and-home series. With only 14 wins on the season, New York faces the challenge of a tight Metropolitan Division race. They will need to improve on both ends of the ice to avoid slipping further down the standings.
Offensively, the Islanders have averaged just 2.68 goals per game, ranking them 26th in the league. Despite this, the team has had key contributions from veteran forward Anders Lee, who leads the team with 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists). Alongside him, Bo Horvat has chipped in with 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists), while Kyle Palmieri has contributed 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists). However, New York will need to rely on a more cohesive attack if they are to make a statement against a team like the Leafs.
On the defensive side, the Islanders have allowed 3.19 goals per game, a ranking that places them 23rd in the league. Their defensive struggles were evident in the loss to Pittsburgh, where they gave up three goals on 31 shots. Marcus Hogberg is expected to get the nod in net once again after a solid showing against the Penguins, where he stopped 38 of 41 shots in a losing effort. With a 0-1-0 record, a 1.93 GAA, and a .948 save percentage, Hogberg’s performance will be crucial to New York’s success.
Toronto Looking to End Home Struggles
The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have faced their own challenges recently. After a strong victory over the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto fell to the Washington Capitals, marking their third consecutive home loss. Toronto is 3-7 over its last 10 games and will be determined to get back on track, especially at home.
The Leafs have had no problem scoring, ranking 7th in the league with 3.11 goals per game. Led by the dynamic duo of Mitch Marner (50 points, 13 goals, 37 assists) and William Nylander (41 points, 23 goals, 18 assists), Toronto boasts a potent offensive unit capable of putting up big numbers on any given night. Veteran John Tavares (37 points, 18 goals, 19 assists) continues to be a reliable contributor, providing stability to the Leafs’ top-six forwards.
However, despite their offensive firepower, Toronto’s defense has been inconsistent, allowing an average of 2.84 goals per game, ranking them 15th in the NHL. Their defensive struggles were evident in the loss to Washington, where they allowed five goals. Matt Murray will start in goal after a rough outing in the loss, where he made 27 saves on 31 shots, resulting in a subpar .878 save percentage and a 3.54 GAA. Murray’s performance in goal will be vital for Toronto to regain their form.
Conclusion
As both teams look to close out 2024 on a high note, Toronto is poised to end their home losing streak, but New York’s defensive improvements will keep them competitive throughout the contest.
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