GDT: #55| New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs | February 14th | 7:30 PM | F/L 7-1

[MattMartin]

Preview


All time series record:
All time series record: The Islanders lead the series 84-76-7 with the Islanders having a 3.5 GFPGA while the Maple Leafs are averaging 3.2 GFPGA. Islanders all time at Toronto are 34-46-4 with a 3.2 GFPGA. The Maple Leafs are averaging 3.5 GFPGA at home VS the Islanders.



1st meeting results: http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/400884522
Video:





2nd meeting results: http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/400885184
Video:









TORONTO -- The New York Islanders can pass the Toronto Maple Leafs in the standings with a win in regulation on Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.

That is an indication how much things have changed for the Islanders.

They will face the Maple Leafs buoyed by a 5-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday after they lost 3-0 to the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday.

The Islanders (25-19-10) had the fewest points in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 17 when Jack Capuano was fired as coach and replaced by Doug Weight on an interim basis.

"We knew the talent and work ethic and the right attitude was in here," Islanders center John Tavares said. "It's such a long season and things get written off so early. I think we see how tight the East is. ... There was a change with (Weight) and we kept improving and we've made our games meaningful now."

The Maple Leafs have noticed.

"I never ever thought they weren't a good team," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after practice on Monday. "I don't think anyone really thought that. I mean they have an elite, elite center in John Tavares. They have good players. Now they seem to have gotten excited and got it going. They're 6-2-2 in their last 10."

The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime in Brooklyn on Feb. 6, overcoming Toronto leads of 4-2 and 5-4.

"They found a way to win the game," Babcock said. "We've got to find a way to win a game at home."

"You have to play the full 60, or most of it, to get the right results," Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk said. "We've been doing a better job of that of late."

Tavares has worked well with Anders Lee and Josh Bailey on the Islanders' first line. Lee has 20 goals and 12 assists in his past 35 games.

"I think (Lee) and (Bailey) have proved a lot of people wrong as far as guys who can play those kind of minutes," Weight said. "They've helped Johnny in a lot of ways, too."

The Islanders also defeated the Maple Leafs 5-1 on Oct. 30.

Toronto has lost six of its past eight games, including two in a row, 3-1 to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and 2-1 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

"We understand that we're going to the other teams' best," Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri said Monday. "But they're going to see our best as well.

"I feel we're in a great position here. If we looked at the beginning of the season and wrote this down two-thirds of the way through the season, we would have taken it. I really feel like collectively that we all have another gear here and what better time to show it."

Maple Leafs right winger Nikita Soshnikov, who has missed the past two games with an upper-body injury, practiced with the team on Monday but might miss the game Tuesday.

Frederik Andersen is expected to start in goal.

"I think we want to play in the offensive zone a little bit more," Maple Leafs left winger James van Riemsdyk said. "That's a good way to wear down the other team and makes it harder for them to create offense when the puck is obviously farther away from our net."







Useful links

http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/

http://www.tsn.ca/

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/islanders/

http://www.nypost.com/sports/islanders/islanders.htm

https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday

http://islanders.nhl.com/











Last game highlights.





























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[TheWhiteWhale30]

Another big 2 points. I dont think it will come down to us and Toronto for a WC spot but incase it does its important we win this game. If we win this game we are in a PO spot for the first time this year.

LGI !

 

[ScaredStreit]

If they win tonight I'll become a believer again for the year...let's go get that win!

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

If they win tonight I'll become a believer again for the year...let's go get that win!

They have lost 5 games in regulation in the last 23 games...lol I think your expectations might be too high. Their are like 28 games left...them losing one of those tonight shouldn't make you lose hope lol Have to try to look at the bigger picture bud. Anyway, important thing is we keep pushing for points every night.

LGI !

 

[Gary Nylund]

Leaf fan coming in peace.

Hoping for a great game tonight. We've kind of sucked lately, I hope we snap out of it and give you guys a good fight. Kadri on Tavares should be very interesting to watch.

Good luck.

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

Leaf fan coming in peace.

Hoping for a great game tonight. We've kind of sucked lately, I hope we snap out of it and give you guys a good fight. Kadri on Tavares should be very interesting to watch.

Good luck.

I'm sure your team will snap out of it against us. Like Andersons shutout vs us the other night...we like to be good stories for other teams. Why would Kadri on Tavares be interesting ?

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm sure your team will snap out of it against us. Like Andersons shutout vs us the other night...we like to be good stories for other teams. Why would Kadri on Tavares be interesting ?

Kadri mentioned Tavares in an interview years ago. There are a bunch of Leaf fans who don't like Kadri (though their numbers have dwindled) who keep bringing that up out of context and ripping Kadri for it. If Tavares makes Kadri look bad tonight, I'm sure we'll hear from that crowd again. But aside from all that, Kadri is performing very well in a shut down role and Tavares is one of the best in the game so that should be entertaining in any case. And it seems obvious that Kadri needs to do a good job on Tavares or we have little hope of winning this game so yeah, it's an important matchup.

 

[Words Of Wisdom]

First time posting in a while. I was so disgusted with the offseason moves, the coaching and really everything involving the team, I kinda just laid low, checked in here and there and watched some games where I had a chance to. Now, I'm still not thrilled by a lot of it but I have to admit. I find myself not missing the games and I'm fully engaged. My passion is coming back and it all starts with the firing of Capuano. I always knew he was a detriment to the team. The team seems to finally believe in one another and it's exciting. Tonight is probably the first time the entire season where I'm legitimately excited for this game like it's a playoff game. Because we have hope again. LGI!

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Just like pretty much every game left, another huge one. LGI!

On top of that, it is very fun to watch this Leaf team. Scary, but fun.

 

[IslesFanatic]

Lets goooo!

 

[seafoam]

We say this pretty much every game, but this is an actual must win.

They don't have any games in hand on Toronto and could jump them in the 8th wildcard spot tonight.

Knowing Weight posts the standings in the locker room and the players seeing themselves in a playoff spot tomorrow would go a long way for their confidence, even if we are still in February.

LGI!

 

[2ndGenIslander]

I was so close to going to this game. Was supposed to have a meeting in Toronto tonight but it got re-booked. I 100% would be going to this game if so, oh well maybe next time. Want to check out a leafs game in toronto at some point. Go isles

 

[TheWhiteWhale30]

Kadri mentioned Tavares in an interview years ago. There are a bunch of Leaf fans who don't like Kadri (though their numbers have dwindled) who keep bringing that up out of context and ripping Kadri for it. If Tavares makes Kadri look bad tonight, I'm sure we'll hear from that crowd again. But aside from all that, Kadri is performing very well in a shut down role and Tavares is one of the best in the game so that should be entertaining in any case. And it seems obvious that Kadri needs to do a good job on Tavares or we have little hope of winning this game so yeah, it's an important matchup.

Yeah I remember...still cant for the life of me understand why he did that lol It was kinda embarrassing. It would be like JT saying he is as good as crosby offensivly. Kadri did that to himself. He reminds me of josh bailey (up until this year atleast..he has improved.) there was always flashes of skill but slowly became a defensivly responsible player, except kadri went and said somthing really dumb lol even if he reached his full potential he would still not be close to JTs skill level. Also reminds me of Josh ho sang...all the talent in the world and said he would be the best player from his draft class in 2-3 years, dude still cant be on time to games and practices lol

 

[KnishOfTheCrease]

Isles 9
Toros 1

 

[Strummergas]

This game makes Thursday's look game look pretty pedestrian by comparison.

Let's Go!

 

[Kevin27NYI]

This game makes Thursday look pretty pedestrian game by comparison.

Let's Go!

Yep! Actually more excited for this one.

Yuuuuge game

 

[crasherino]

Man, the Leafs roll three very strong lines there....and seem to play their 4th line very infrequently. As good as their forwards are, that's how weak their D corp seems to be. Zaitsev is kind of found gold as well so they are pretty lucky in that regard. If they can solidify their blue line in the off season (or even the trade deadline), they can really be dangerous.

Not sure if they want to go out and get Shattenkirk who may not want to re-sign in Canada, but that would go a long way towards making them a competitor.

 

[crasherino]

Too bad Hamonic is not back yet. I think its essential to play these rookies tough and physical and he's our only guy who makes a point of doing that. Boychuk does every so often but while he's a strong, physical player, he doesn't really play with the edge that Hamonic does. JB will hit but he does it when its called for, not proactively, it seems.

 

[BillD]

JB will hit them if he can catch them.

I'm hoping that we get Clutterbuck back healthy for this game.

 

[FourRings]

Massive game. Go get the two points boys.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Man, the Leafs roll three very strong lines there....and seem to play their 4th line very infrequently. As good as their forwards are, that's how weak their D corp seems to be. Zaitsev is kind of found gold as well so they are pretty lucky in that regard. If they can solidify their blue line in the off season (or even the trade deadline), they can really be dangerous.

Not sure if they want to go out and get Shattenkirk who may not want to re-sign in Canada, but that would go a long way towards making them a competitor.

I was looking at their numbers vs ours in terms of forwards, while we are missing Quine and Clutterbuck aside, they have multiple guys with 40 or more. 164-160 in GF and then you check out the defense and there's where we make it up.

Shattenkirk would be huge for them.

Too bad Hamonic is not back yet. I think its essential to play these rookies tough and physical and he's our only guy who makes a point of doing that. Boychuk does every so often but while he's a strong, physical player, he doesn't really play with the edge that Hamonic does. JB will hit but he does it when its called for, not proactively, it seems.

Yeah, Boychuk was physical as hell last meeting though. Maybe we see more.

I'm hoping that we get Clutterbuck back healthy for this game.

Miss the hell out of that guy but also want them to take it slow so he doesn't keep getting re-injured. Maybe by Thursday?

 

[kmo429]

Huge game tonight. people can say all they want about "Toronto will be 3rd in the ATL, we're not chasing them.," but that is just foolish. You can guarnatee that Boston will make a move to add at the deadline and will not go lightly. Florida is also right on our tails. It's very possible that one of those teams moves up with a run and finishes #3 in the Atlantic. This game is as big as a game against anyone else could be at this point in the season. Cannot afford to drop 2 poitns here tonight, and also need to get going on the road. LGI!

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Just making myself look it up in terms of depth, all our forwards save for Gionta and Barzal (7 games combined) have over 10 points. 1 down to 13 in Beauviller who has 12 in 40. Great depth. Plainly obvious what this team needs lol.

 

[BTrotts19]

Every game is important. We need to accumulate as many points as possible but of course beating the teams rigjt in front of us gives us a potential 4 point swing. Hoping to see the secondary scoring continue and tighten up in the D zone. Can really use the return of Hammer shortly but until then, take calculated risks but no foolish lapses in our zone.

LGI !!!

 

[CodeE]

Win and we're in a playoff position. Wowzas.