The New York Islanders took a trip up to Toronto for their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 29. After finishing eight points out of a playoff spot after a late-season slump last year, the group was looking for a fresh start. A new leadership group was in play for the team and beating what Isles Nation would consider a rival would be a good start.
Unfortunately, the game did not go as they would have hoped. The Leafs came out with a good attitude and good spirits for their second game of the season. They had dropped their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens the night prior, so a win was crucial for them and their new head coach.
Colton Sissons and Easton Cowan both scored in the first period, beating Islanders’ goaltender, Ilya Sorokin. The younger members of the Islanders took two penalties in the first: Victor Eklund for cross-checking and Matthew Schaefer, who was named an alternate captain for the season, for slashing. Eklund’s penalty resulted in Cowan’s power play goal.
The second period had no scoring but did include three penalties. John Tavares slashed Casey Cizikas, who entered his 16th season with the Islanders on Wednesday night, a franchise record for skaters. Nick Paul also found himself in the box for hooking, followed by Brayden Schenn, who was also appointed as an alternate for the Islanders, for the same penalty later in the period.
Kirill Marchenko, who was traded to the Leafs the day before the season started, hooked Tony DeAngelo early in the third, but the Islanders still could not convert on the power play. Jake McCabe was sent off for tripping at 10:50.
Matais Maccelli was sent to the box for holding at 13:32. Though the power play wasn’t quite working out for the Islanders on Wednesday, Emil Heineman managed a short-handed snap shot that beat Anthony Stolarz for New York’s first goal of the season.
Despite their best efforts, the Islanders were unable to get the job done or even force an overtime period. Newly named captain, Bo Horvat, discussed the many turnovers the team had, seemingly contributing the loss to the blights.
The New York Islanders will host the New Jersey Devils for their home opener on Saturday, October 3.
