Call it a “new coach bump” or desperation. Either way, the New York Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3, giving the Maple Leafs their fifth loss in six games. Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan, and Morgan Rielly scored for Toronto, while Artur Akhtyamov made 39 saves on 44 shots.
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Brayden Schenn, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Matthew Schaefer, Emil Heineman, and Calum Ritchie scored for the Islanders, while Ilya Sorokin made 13 saves on 16 shots.
Welcome to the League, Rook
Akhtyamov made his first start in the NHL on Thursday night, and what a start it was. For all the wrong reasons, no less. The 24-year-old netminder was peppered early and often, and held his own between the pipes, despite allowing five goals on the night.
We all know by now that the Maple Leafs have nothing to play for. Yes, yes, I know, besides a top-five draft pick. Standings-wise, this season is over. That being said, and we’ve said it before, it’s still nice to see a team work hard, be competitive, and have each other’s back. We’ve already seen the team not have their captain’s back, only to somewhat redeem themselves a couple of weeks later.
This was a whole different form of not having a teammate’s back. In Akhtyamov’s first start, the Maple Leafs were outshot 24-3 in the first period, and 36-9 after 40 minutes. What a way to welcome a rookie to the big leagues, boys.
This team’s identity, or lack thereof, has been picked apart all season long, and there’s really nothing new for me to add. It might not mean anything long-term. Sure, we can chalk it up as another dreadful performance in a season full of them. It’s just really disappointing to see a veteran team, for the most part, leave a rookie goaltender out to dry like that.
Easton Cowan Continues to Impress
At 1:57 of the second period, Cowan scored his 11th goal of the season with a perfect wrist shot from the slot. Cowan now has two goals and five points in his last five games, and 11 goals and 27 points in 63 games this season.
Whatever we’ve said about the Maple Leafs’ lack of passion and competitiveness, the same cannot be said of Cowan. The kid plays with an edge and a grit that you can’t help but appreciate.
At the end of a season like this, both management and fans alike are watching for who should and will be a part of the team’s future. Everyone should be excited about what we’re watching from Cowan right now, and it will be interesting to see how his game grows next season.
You Never Know How the Ping Pong Balls Will Fall
Last season, at the end of 82 games, the Islanders were 23rd in the standings. A few months later, the lottery balls landed in their favour, and they drafted first overall. With that pick, as we all know by now, the Islanders drafted Schaefer, who has taken Long Island and the NHL by storm.
Before last season, the Islanders had been mediocre for quite some time. Even in the seasons where they made the playoffs, they were not a fun team to watch. Just a bunch of boring, low-event hockey. Even when they were winning.
From the minute the puck dropped at the start of the 2025-26 season, the Islanders have been a fun team to watch, and that has turned into a team that might find itself back in the playoffs. Except this time, with a chance to maybe do some damage.
As of right now, the Maple Leafs are 27th in the NHL, and their chances of falling into the bottom five via the lottery are growing with every lifeless loss. They could end up giving their first-round pick to the Boston Bruins even if they do finish in the bottom five. However, it’s okay to get a little bit excited. You never know where the ping pong balls will land.
Up Next For the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night and the Dallas Stars on Monday night, before wrapping up their season in Ottawa against the Senators on Wednesday night.
