Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Trying for a Better Effort Against the New York Islanders

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Preview: Trying for a Better Effort Against the New York Islanders

We have all waited patiently and now it is time to drop the puck on a new season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here at the Tip of the Tower we strive to give you as much content on your Toronto sports teams as humanly possible. This series will preview every single Toronto Maple Leafs game and what you should know for the game that night.

Feb 27, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Mike Halmo (43) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) and New York Islanders defenseman Brian Strait (37) and Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) fight for the puck during the third period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs (23-28-4) @ New York Islanders (35-18-1): 7:00 p.m  TSN

The Leafs are 1-0 against the Islanders this season.

Leafs Injury Report

Dion Phaneuf out with a hand injury

Joffrey Lupul out with a knee injury

Projected Line Combinations (Leafs):

Islanders Injury Report

Cal Clutterbuck is doubtful with an upper-body injury

Michael Grabner out with an undisclosed injury

Kyle Okposo out with an eye injury

Matt Carkner out with a back injury

Projected Line Combinations (Islanders):

Game Preview:

Feb 27, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a goal by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger (15) in front of New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) during the third period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Frustrations are at an all time high with the Leafs, more specifically Peter Horachek. While it is nice to see Morgan Rielly step up and show off the talent that he has, there is a particular group of players that have given the head coach a lot of things to be frustrated about.

Feb 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) goes to take a shot against the Edmonton Oilers at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Edmonton 5-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

When the players on expiring deals and Rielly are the only ones that are giving a noticeable effort every night it not only speaks volumes on the players but the person who has signed them to their contracts. Right now all the coaching staff can do is hope that the players wake up and give a better effort. If Kessel’s game is being hampered by injuries then the coaching staff should not play him, if he is able to play through it then he simply has to make more of an effort to be better without the puck because we all know how good he is with the puck.

Oct 21, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) controls the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak (42) during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Maple Leafs defeated the Islanders 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Give the New York Islanders credit no matter how much people had written them off in the past they found a way to surround John Tavares with talent and put themselves in position to compete for the playoffs. The real challenge will be to see whether the team can continue to pull it off but for now it looks like they could be a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Feb 27, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) controls the puck against New York Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky (11) during the first period of a game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs NYI: 30 GP- 16 goals- 13 assists- 29 PTS

James Van Riemsdyk career vs NYI: 21 GP- 7 goals- 9 assists- 15 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs NYI: 9 GP- 5 goals- 4 assists- 9 PTS

Jake Gardiner career vs NYI: 10 GP- 1 goals- 7 assists- 8 PTS

Mike Santorelli career vs NYI: 10 GP- 4 goals- 4 assists- 8 PTS

**Jonathan Bernier career vs NYI: 4 GP–  Record: 2-1-1, 3.24 GAA –.902 SV%

**James Reimer career vs NYI: 7 GP– Record: 4-2-1,  3.43 GAA – .897 SV%

**Depending on who starts in goal

New York Islanders

Jan 7, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders center Ryan Strome (18) and Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) face off at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

John Tavares career vs TOR: 18 GP – 9 goals – 11 assists – 20 PTS

Ryan Strome career vs TOR: 3 GP- 0 goals- 2 assists- 2 PTS

Josh Bailey career vs TOR: 21 GP – 4 goals – 7 assists – 11 PTS

Frans Nielsen career vs TOR: 23 GP- 6 goals- 6 assists- 12 PTS

Jaroslav Halak career vs TOR: 14 GP  Record: 7–3–3,  3.02 GAA – .907 SV%

Keys To Victory

Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) is checked by New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Don Cherry called the Leafs soft, Horachek wants the team to put forth more of an effort and it is hard to argue that. The top line does not like to lay down their body to get the puck, something that the other players have tried to make up for. If the Leafs continue to play with a lack of intensity then it will get much harder for fans to defend them.

Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) shoots and scores a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Rielly is riding a hot stick and with Cody Franson dealing with some nagging injuries it would be nice to see Rielly get more experience. They should not put too much on him, but increasing his responsibility would be intriguing to see how he responds.

The Islanders are dealing with some injuries but they have enough depth to match up against the Leafs. The Leafs cannot get caught puck watching like they did against the Rangers.

Jonathan Bernier is expected to get the start, it will be interesting to see how he responds with not having a start in over a week.

Next: Lupul Injured Again, Kessel Demoted to the Fourth Line