New York Islanders @ Toronto Maple Leafs
07:00 PM at Scotiabank Arena
Watch on: TSN4, MSGSN

The Leafs last game was away on March 15 against the Minnesota Wild, which Toronto won by a score of 4-2 in regulation. The Leafs have a record of 29-27-12 for a 0.515 Points %.

The New York Islanders last played at home on March 14 against the Calgary Flames. The Islanders won by a score of 3-2 in regulation, and their current league record is 38-24-5 for a 0.604 Points %.

St. Louis is the fifth to last team in the standings today with a Points % of 0.478. If they continue at that points rate, they will finish with 78 points. The Leafs have to finish with 77 points to take that spot in the standings, and they need to play at 0.250 the rest of the season to only get seven points out of the remaining 14 games.

This has gotten dramatically harder in two days because St. Louis dropped in Points % and the Leafs won a game. The Rangers are still tied with the Blues, so 77 points gets you fourth last right now if nothing changes.

Los Angeles is the fourth place team contesting for the two western wild card spots. San Jose and Seattle are tied for second with a Points % of 0.538 which would give them 88 points each if they maintain that pace. For Los Angeles to get 89 points and beat them both, giving Toronto a second-round pick, they have to play 0.600 the rest of the season. They are at 0.530.

This has gotten easier with a win by the Kings, and a loss by San Jose. Seattle has improved. However, LA's points pace needed is still absurdly difficult. Someone has to get in, though.

Them

Best overall goaltending in the NHL. That's it, that's who they are. Oh, and that Schaefer guy, he's good.

Lines

Stefen Rosner via Daily Faceoff from Monday's practice.

Emil Heineman - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Anthony Duclair - Brayden Schenn - Simon Holmstrom
Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Calum Ritchie
Ondrej Palat - Casey Cizikas - Kyle MacLean

Matthew Schaefer - Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech - Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy - Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin - confirmed starter
David Rittich

Us

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is still away for baby-related reasons.

Both Michael Pezzetta and Henry Thrun were returned to the Marlies today, and they have a long list of injuries:

Lines

Morning skate:

Matias Maccelli - John Tavares - William Nylander
Matthew Knies - Max Domi - Easton Cowan
Dakota Joshua - Bo Groulx - Nicholas Robertson
Steven Lorentz - Jacob Quillan - Calle Järnkrok

Morgan Rielly - Philippe Myers
Jake McCabe - Brandon Carlo
Simon Benoit - Troy Stecher

Joe Woll - starter
Anthony Stolarz

The Game

The Leafs managed a good first period, and rode their puck luck last time out. This is really all they can do, just give it all they have, which isn't going to be a lot against Sorokin.

Hockey, though, is endlessly weird, and it's advisable not to take too much meaning out of a single game's outcome.

Game Coverage