Islanders (12-14-7) at Maple Leafs (21-10-2)
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
TV: Sportsnet, RADIO: FAN 590
ODDS
Islanders -175, Toronto +145
THE BUZZ
The Isles’ advantage at resting in Toronto, part of their three days off while the Leafs were on the road and down the QEW in Buffalo will be evened a bit by a fresh Joseph Woll in the opposing net … New York’s offence is struggling, last in the Eastern Conference, generating just eight goals in the past four games … Toronto likely faces goalie Ilya Sorokin in what would be his career high 10th consecutive start. He was 3-0-0 last year against Toronto with a .928 save percentage … Leafs didn’t practice Saturday morning, but winger Ryan Reaves could enter the lineup to balance what is always a physical Isles’ side … Underlining the Isles’ scoring trouble is the league’s worst power play, 12.1%.
THE NEWS
Murray and Dennis Hildeby exchanged places on the Marlies again Saturday morning, but Murray is still expected to play in one of the back-to-backs after Christmas. But he’ll likely back up Woll in the immediate future and get his next game after Christmas when the Leafs play Detroit and Washington back-to-back … Isles’ coach Patrick Roy has elected to break up top forwards Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal at times to try and distribute scoring … John Tavares recorded his 600th NHL assist Friday, the first 349 of those as an Islander.
THE QUOTE
“I feel like we should have maybe spent more time on the penalty kill and power play in training camp, because as soon as the season starts, it’s a grind.” – Roy on the Isles’ special teams’ woes.
THE POLL
Who is the Leafs most under-appreciated player this year?
– Chris Tanev
– Jake McCabe
– Steven Lorentz
– Ryan Reaves
THE PROJECTED LEAFS LINEUP
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Mitch Marner
Max Pacioretty John Tavares William Nylander
Bobby McMann Max Domi Nick Robertson
Pontus Holmberg/Ryan Reaves David Kampf Steven Lorentz
Defence
Morgan Rielly – Conor Timmins
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit Jak McCabe
Goal
Joseph Woll
Matt Murray
Injuries
Toronto:
G Anthony Stolarz (knee), F Calle Jarnkrok (groin), D Jani Hakanpaa (knee).
New York:
G Semyon Varlamov (lower body, LTIR) Anthony Duclair (lower body, day-to-day).
The Prediction
Leafs look to add to a goal haul of five or better in the past three games, but that will be difficult on the back-to-back. Toronto’s scoring trumps Isles in the end, 4-3 in overtime.
X: @sunhornby