Toronto Maple Leafs Try to Bounce Back Against 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.

Jan 7, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) checks Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

New York Islanders (42-21-4) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (26-35-5), 7:30 p.m. Rogers Sportsnet.

The Leafs are 1-1 against the Islanders this season, losing the last game 3-2.

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Projected Line Combinations (Leafs):

Leafs Injury Report

Stephane Robidas is out with a shoulder injury

Nathan Horton is out with a back injury

Islanders Injury Report

Tyler Kennedy is doubtful with an upper-body injury

Mikhail Grabovski is out with a concussion

Kyle Okposo is out with an eye injury

Projected Line Combinations (Islanders)

Game Preview

Mar 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (4) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov (47) during a scrum in the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The one thing the Leafs would want to avoid after an embarrassing performance against the St. Louis Blues is tocreate more drama. Nazem Kadri was reportedly sent home after showing up late for a team meeting. Maybe it was an error because of the time change, but it is not something that should be taken lightly. With Kadri looking for a contract extension, his character and dedication will be something management will ponder . The Blues picked apart many errors in the Leafs game, which Brendan Shanahan was very frustrated with. The only thing the team can do now is try to prove to management they are worth another chance, even though the decision has been made on the direction of the team.

Mar 7, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) gives up a goal to Florida Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau (not pictured) in the third period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders made a smart deal at the trade deadline to acquire Michal Neuvirth, giving them some goaltending depth just in case Jaroslav Halak struggles early on. It has been a surprising turnaround for the Islanders who were the laughing-stock of the NHL for a long while. Now, they have made a nice turn around by being patient with their prospects, and acquiring legitimate contributors on the back-end. With Halak they now have a good chance to pull together some upsets in the playoffs, unless they are unable to make the adjustments defensively.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Feb 12, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Nikolay Kulemin (86) shoots past Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson (4) during the second period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel career vs NYI: 31 GP- 16 goals- 13 assists- 29 PTS

James Van Riemsdyk career vs NYI: 22 GP- 7 goals- 9 assists- 16 PTS

Nazem Kadri career vs NYI: 10 GP- 5 goals- 4 assists- 9 PTS

Jake Gardiner career vs NYI: 11 GP- 1 goals- 7 assists- 8 PTS

Jonathan Bernier career vs NYI: 5 GP– Record: 2-2-1, 3.20 GAA –.908 SV%

New York Islanders

Nov 19, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders forward John Tavares (91) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mason Raymond (12) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New York 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

John Tavares career vs TOR: 19 GP – 9 goals – 11 assists – 20 PTS

Ryan Strome career vs TOR: 4 GP- 0 goals- 2 assists- 2 PTS

Josh Bailey career vs TOR: 23 GP – 4 goals – 9 assists – 1 PTS

Jaroslav Halak career vs TOR: 15 GP Record: 8–3–3, 2.95 GAA – .909 SV%

Keys To Victory

Feb 12, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) misses the save on a shot by Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Richard Panik (18) (not pictured) during the second period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders are not a team with elite defending like the Blues, so the Leafs need to come out swinging offensively before New York’s offence tries to take over.

The Islanders have been involved in a lot of close games and they would want to improve their position in the standings to get a good playoff matchup. The Leafs need to try to make things difficult for the Islanders and show the fans there is some fight left in them. They showed some of that on Saturday, even though they did not get the result they had hoped for.

Jan 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) skates past St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) as he falls to the ice during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Maple Leafs 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs had more of a physical edge to their game with the Phaneuf hit on T.J. Oshie and Zach Sill’s fight against Steve Ott. The more physical play they show, the less teams will think that against the Leafs will be easy, even though they have not been tough to play against the past few months.

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