Game Preview: Islanders at Maple Leafs

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (3-3-1) AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (3-3-2) 

7 P.M. | SCOTIABANK ARENA

HOW TO WATCH/STREAM: MSGSN, MSG+ ON DAZN 

HOW TO LISTEN: 88.7 FM WRHU | 103.9FM LI NEWS | 92.5FM THE BEACON | ISLES + UBS ARENA APP 

The New York Islanders return to Scotiabank Arena for the second time this season for a meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at 7 p.m.  

The Isles are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. While one point got away, it was a standout performance for goaltender Semyon Varlamov who made 18 saves on 19 shots in his second start of the year.  

Read a full game recap here 

Matias Maccelli continued his torrid start with the Islanders' lone goal in the first period and extended his point streak to five games. The 26-year-old has his highest point total through the opening seven games of a season in his career.  

The Maple Leafs settled for a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres in their last game on Thursday despite a 4-2 third period lead and a hat-trick from Kirill Marchenko.  

It was the second straight 5-4 loss for Toronto after they dropped a game to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. The Leafs have allowed at least three goals in seven of their eight games this year.  

Auston Matthews has a six-game point streak with 13 points in that span. He’s the Leafs leader in goals (6), assists (7) and points (13).

PROJECTED LINEUP (Updated: 12:15 p.m.)

Head Coach Pete DeBoer continued to shuffle the lines on Saturday as Simon Holmström is on the top line with Bo Horvat and Matias Maccelli and Kyle Palmieri is alongside Ondřej Palat and Casey Cizikas on the fourth line. 

Emil Heineman was on the fourth line against the Senators but flipped spots with Palát. Heineman will be with JG Pageau and Anthony Duclair against Toronto.  

The defensive pairings remain the same for the third straight game as Matt Kessel stays in next to Tony DeAngelo.  

Ilya Sorokin is expected to get the start in net for the Isles. Here’s how the team lined up during morning skate:

Matias Maccelli – Bo Horvat – Simon Holmström   
Brayden Schenn – Cal Ritchie – Victor Eklund 
Emil Heineman – JG Pageau – Anthony Duclair   
Ondřej Palát – Casey Cizikas – Kyle Palmieri   

Logan Stanley – Matthew Schaefer   
Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock   
Matt Kessel – Tony DeAngelo   

Ilya Sorokin

Semyon Varlamov   

Extras: Kyle MacLean, Scott Mayfield

SEASON SERIES

The Maple Leafs lead the season series 1-0 after beating the Isles in their season opener 2-1.

Emil Heineman’s shorthanded goal in the third period was the Isles’ lone tally, but it was not enough to counteract first period goals from Colton Sissons and Easton Cowan. 

Remaining matchup: 

Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Islanders: Nov. 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m., UBS Arena

ISLES DEFENSE STANDS TALL

The Islanders have compiled a strong defensive start to the season and have allowed three goals or fewer in five of the first seven games.  

Excluding the shootout goal against Ottawa, the Isles have allowed 16 goals in seven games. It’s the fewest number of goals allowed in their first seven contests since 2003, according to Islanders statistician Eric Hornick.  

That record start is reflected in the way Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov have played as both Isles goaltenders have a goals-against average under 2.00.  

The Islanders have a 2.29 goals-against per game, which is the second best in the NHL. The Isles made several critical defensive plays against Ottawa including killing off a 4-on-3 power play in overtime.  

The Isles penalty kill went 4-for-4 against the Senators and Matthew Schaefer played 29:29 of time-on-ice, which is the third highest of his career.  

SCOUTING THE MAPLE LEAFS

Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to be the starting goaltender for the Leafs who will be without John Tavares. Toronto announced on Saturday that Tavares is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

The Leafs are one of three teams with multiple top 10 point producers across the league. Matthews’ 13 points are tied for fifth and William Nylander has 12 points (5 G, 7 A) which is tied for seventh in the NHL.  

The Maple Leafs have gotten key contributions from their young talents Cowan (3 G, 3 A) and 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna (2 G, 3 A) who was benched by head coach Jim Hiller for the final 32:54 against the Sabres.  

Toronto is first in the NHL on the penalty kill at 96.2 percent and are fifth best on the power play at 29.6 percent. However, they’ve shown some shakiness 5-on-5 and have given up 30.5 shots per game, which is fourth most in the league.  

As a result, they’ve gotten inconsistent goaltending from Sergei Bobrovksy – who made 30 saves in the loss to Buffalo – and Anthony Stolarz. Both goaltenders have a save percentage below .900 and a goals-against above 3.30.