Takeaways: Islanders Defeat Leafs 6-3

The New York Islanders put together an energized, full team effort in a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.

Max Tsyplakov, Bo Horvat (2G, 1A), JG Pageau, Isaiah George and Mathew Barzal (ENG) led the way offensively for the Islanders and Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves in his career-long 10^th consecutive start. William Nylander (2G) and Bobby McMann scored for the Leafs while Joseph Woll turned aside 28 of 33 in the loss.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Isles and marked the second time all season the Isles scored six goals in a game.

“It was an emphasis on keeping it simple, doing everything solid,” Barzal said. “I think what’s got us in trouble a bit in the last two games was overcomplicating things, but we simplified it today. We got pucks out when they needed to get out, and it seemed to translate into good offense.”

The Islanders have won their last five straight contests against the Leafs and will play them twice in their next five games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Islanders came out of the gate with energy and attacked the Leafs zone, with Horvat’s pass from behind the goal line finding Tsyplakov in the slot, as the Russian winger ripped the shot through Woll to open the scoring at 1:49. The goal snapped a streak of eight games where the Islanders allowed the opening tally.

In a continued solid first period effort, Horvat doubled the lead by rushing in on the right side, taking a quick pause at the dot to snap a shot past Woll to give the Islanders at 4:48.

The Maple Leafs retaliated as Nylander buried his team-leading 22^nd goal of the season, driving to the net and shelfing a backhand past Sorokin to get the Leafs on the board.

The Islanders grabbed the two-goal lead back at the end of the first period. Anders Lee’s spin-around attempt in front of the net was blocked but JG Pageau was in the right place at the right time to bury the loose change at the left circle to give the Isles a 3-1 lead.

Nylander struck again in the middle frame for his second goal of the night and 23^rd of the season at 5:43. David Kampf sent a no-look backhand pass from the side of the crease for Nylander, who was mid-fall in the low slot, to get a shot off and get the Leafs back within one.

Up by a goal in the second period, Sorokin looked solid and poised in his 10^th straight start, making key saves on Mitch Marner, Bobby McMann and Max Pacioretty to protect a 3-2 lead. Sorokin made a huge stop on a Ryan Reaves breakaway in the third period.

“He was phenomenal,” Horvat said of Sorokin. “He made unbelievable saves when he needed to, he’s been huge for him all year. He’s been playing a lot of hockey and for him to be as good as he is right now is huge for us.”

George wristed a shot from the left circle that beat Woll and gave the Isles a 4-2 lead. It marked the 20-year-old defenseman’s first career NHL goal in his 20^th career game. Dobson tacked onto the lead to make it 5-2 at 10:36 of the third period, but McMann found the back of the net at the 13:49 mark. Barzal scored an empty netter to seal the win.

GEORGE SCORES FIRST NHL GOAL

What a night for Isaiah George.

The 20-year-old defenseman was all smiles on Saturday when he netted his first career NHL goal and it was an important one, as it held as the game-winner.

His teammates were thrilled for him on the ice and on the bench, as his first goal was well-deserved after George made himself an important part of the team in his first 20 NHL games.

“It was awesome, he’s a great defenseman and was great for us when guys have gone down, he stepped in just fine,” Horvat said. “It was a great goal for us, great goal for him.”

George drew into the lineup after missing two games as a healthy scratch. Roy praised the young defenseman for a strong performance on Saturday and is impressed with how George is handling his rookie season.

“Since he’s been here, he’s been outstanding,” Roy said. “It was good for him to miss a couple games, back tonight, he was really good. It was a reset. Don’t forget last year he was in junior. I’m very happy for him and very proud of him.”

The atmosphere was extra special for the Oakville, ON native, as George was emotional to score for the first time in his home province.

“It was fun that I got to do it in Toronto where I grew up watching Leafs games and coming to this rink, so it was really special,” George said. “I have family, friends and a lot of people that helped me get to this point [in the building tonight] so it was great.”

LINEUP NOTES

Anthony Duclair returned to the lineup after he was sidelined for 28 games with a lower-body injury. The winger recorded an assist, two shots (one attemped, one missed) in 15:14 TOI and played on a line with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.

“He was good,” Roy said of Duclair. “He was quick on those loose pucks and he was very helpful to Nelson’s line. The more they play together, the more comfortable he’ll feel.”

As a result of Duclair’s return, Pierre Engvall sat as a healthy scratch.

ODDS AND ENDS

• Horvat netted his 250^th career goal on Saturday and recorded his seventh mulit-point game of the season with a goal and an assist.
• Barzal took a team-high five shots on goal.

NOTABLE QUOTE

Roy on his team’s consistent effort on Saturday night:

“I was extremely happy the way we played, we played a solid 60 minutes and rolled four lines. I thought everybody had a strong game. We had energy and I thought it was the difference.”

NEXT GAME

The Islanders return home to face the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at UBS Arena.