New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Maple Leafs open a five-game homestand on Monday night against the New York Islanders in what could feature an Ilya vs. Ilya showdown in net. Toronto is a solid favourite to win on the NHL odds.
Islanders vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
Monday is the second of three regular-season meetings between the teams, with the Leafs visiting the Isles on March 21. New York can clinch the series here as it won in Toronto 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 21 in an upset. Josh Bailey tied the game at 2-2 at 17:02 of the third and then Anthony Beauvillier won it at 1:56 of overtime. Ilya Sorokin made 30 saves for his first career win vs. Toronto: The Russian is 1-2-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .926 SV in three outings.
John Tavares and Auston Matthews scored in the second period for the Maple Leafs. Top defenceman Morgan Rielly left early in the third period due to injury and wouldn’t return. Erik Kallgren made 21 saves, but he won’t play in this one or maybe again this season for Toronto.
The favourite is 16-5 in the past 21 meetings. The under is 4-0-1 in the past five.
New York Islanders
New York enters having lost four straight and eight of nine following a 5-2 home loss to Carolina on Saturday. The team has had a tough stretch of opponents but still should not be in this big of a slump with such an excellent netminder in Ilya Sorokin. He’s just not getting much help as the Russian has a 2.37 GAA and .924 SV with three shutouts but is only 15-15-4. Simon Holmstrom (second goal of season) and Brock Nelson (17th) scored vs. Carolina. It was 2-2 late in the second period. The team played without winger Cal Clutterbuck (4G, 4A) after he was hurt Thursday and is out indefinitely. Aatu Raty was called up from the AHL and started in Clutterbuck’s place as the centre on the fourth line with Ross Johnston and Matt Martin in his eighth NHL game. The Isles are 1-6 in their past seven on the road.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto was a massive favourite in Montreal on Saturday but records rarely matter in that rivalry and the Leafs were upset 3-2 in overtime despite leading 2-0 after one on goals from Mark Giordano (third of season) and Calle Jarnkrok (10th). Giordano’s came just 53 seconds in, and he became the second Maple Leafs defenceman to score an opening-minute goal in the past 25 years, joining Morgan Rielly (twice). Ilya Samsonov stopped 28 shots. Not clear if he or Matt Murray will start this one. Saturday marked blueliner T.J. Brodie’s original two-week estimated return date from his rib injury. He didn’t play, but coach Sheldon Keefe doesn’t expect it “to be too much longer.”
NYI
TOR