> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preview: New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/preview-new-york-islanders-at-toronto-maple-leafs/ - Published: 2016-03-09T20:00:02.000Z - Updated: 2016-03-09T20:00:02.000Z - Description: The new kids are still looking for their first win. - Author: Achariya - Tags: Game Coverage, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 10:50 #### #### [New York Islanders](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/new-york-islanders?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) at [Toronto Maple Leafs](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/toronto-maple-leafs?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) #### 7:00PM - Air Canada Centre #### TV: Sportsnet - RADIO: Sportsnet 590 #### SBN: [Lighthouse Hockey](http://www.lighthousehockey.com/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) #### Head to Head | Teams | **New York Islanders** | **Toronto** | | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Record | 37-20-7 | 21-33-11 | | Conference | 5th in East | 16th in East | | League | 10th | 30th | | Goals +/- | 186/159 = +27 | 155/194 = -39 | | Top Scorer | [John Tavares](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/72339/john-tavares?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) (24) | [Leo Komarov](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/156612/leo-komarov?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) (19) | | Top Points | Tavares (52) Kyle Okposo (52) | Leo Komarov (36) | | Goalie | [Thomas Greiss](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54749/thomas-greiss?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) .930/2.20 | [Garret Sparks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/132408/garret-sparks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) .913/2.47 | | Mascot | Sparky the Dragon | Carlton | #### Storylines You know a rebuild is going well when your freshly returned-from-injury forward is [barely able to repress his glee](https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/video/p-a-parenteau-march-8-2016/t-277437436/c-42307303?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) at being able to play with the new call-up from the minors. "I got to play with Willie in camp a little bit. I'm looking forward to playing with the kids," PA Parenteau said after practice yesterday. When asked whether he wants to be around next season to play with them more, he gave a resigned shrug and said, "It is what it is." I think this is hockey speak for "IDK," or maybe "In Lou I trust?????" [Matt Hunwick](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54887/matt-hunwick?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) is out with season-ending sports hernia surgery, ~~which gives Victor Loov another moment to shine. I [wrote the Loov piece for T25U25](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/ppps-top-25-under-25-16-viktor-loov/), and when I wrote it, I remember thinking, "This guy has an edginess to his play like a budding Niklas Kronwall, and I think Babcock is going to like it. He walks that line between hard, fierce player and total a\*\*\*\*\*\*, and has to hone his skill to not permanently injure anyone."~~ Jonas Siegel @jonassiegel TJ Brennan recalled to replace injured Viktor Loov. So yeah. About TJ Brennan. In January, [Katya asked whether he was the best defenseman in the AHL](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/is-t-j-brennan-the-best-defenceman-in-the-ahl/), and the answer was, probably. In February, Flow Jerguson [fanposted about](http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2016/2/22/11054258/the-curious-case-of-t-j-brennan) him, pointing out that although he is at the top of the AHL in point production, he hasn't been able to hold down a spot in the NHL. But why? Flow says: As T.J. Brennan is learning the hard way, it's not that simple. He finds himself unable to make a lean Leafs blue line, despite putting up point per game numbers in the AHL and doing so for the last FOUR seasons. He has good size, respectable skating, and a booming shot from the point, so why has Brennan not had an extended run as an NHL defenseman?One of the most common knocks against him is that although he's great offensively, he can't make his defensive game transition well to the NHL. Flow's fanpost does a nice job of looking at his defensive role, and compares him favorably to Cody Franson, however. So what is actually going on with Brennan, and as a 27 year old veteran who hasn't been in the NHL for more than 11 games, why can't he stick? Flow thinks it's just bad luck: I think Brennan's unique skill set and perhaps mediocre defensive game has made it difficult for him to get an extended stint with an NHL team. The more time that goes on with less NHL experience he has, the more teams are going to be weary of putting him there. Kind of like that whole job hunting trope where you need experience to get a job but need to get a job to get experience.Tonight, with Loov injured and Hunwick out for the season, let's see if he has what it takes to stick! #### Leafs Lines [Nikita Soshnikov](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/254124/nikita-soshnikov?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Nazem Kadri](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/71825/nazem-kadri?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- Leo Komarov PA Parenteau - [William Nylander](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/246220/william-nylander?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Zach Hyman](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111757/zach-hyman?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Milan Michalek](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54753/milan-michalek?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Peter Holland](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/71829/peter-holland?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Michael Grabner](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54484/michael-grabner?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Colin Greening](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111765/colin-greening?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Ben Smith](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/109119/ben-smith?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Brooks Laich](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54344/brooks-laich?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Martin Marincin](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111593/martin-marincin?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Morgan Rielly](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157191/morgan-rielly?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Jake Gardiner](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/130014/jake-gardiner?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Connor Carrick](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157299/connor-carrick?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) TJ Brennan ~~Victor Loov~~ \- [Frank Corrado](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/143679/frank-corrado?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Garret Sparks [Jonathan Bernier](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54581/jonathan-bernier?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) #### Islanders Lines [Brock Nelson](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/111546/brock-nelson?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- John Tavares - Ryan Strome Josh Bailey - [Frans Nielsen](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54170/frans-nielsen?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- Kyle Okposo [Shane Prince](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/132286/shane-prince?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Nikolay Kulemin](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54310/nikolai-kulemin?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Anders Lee](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/192287/anders-lee?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Matt Martin - [Casey Cizikas](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/88684/casey-cizikas?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- [Cal Clutterbuck](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54719/cal-clutterbuck?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Nick Leddy](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/71834/nick-leddy?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) \- Johnny Boychuk Travis Hamonic - [Thomas Hickey](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54576/thomas-hickey?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Brian Strait - [Ryan Pulock](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/198425/ryan-pulock?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Thomas Greiss Jaroslav Halak