Game Preview: Islanders at Maple Leafs

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (29-26-6) AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (37-20-5)
7 P.M. - AIR CANADA CENTRE
TV: MSG+2, MSG GO
RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News, AM970 - The Answer
GAME NOTES - MORNING SKATE UPDATES
With the standings shifting daily in the Metropolitan Division, the New York Islanders can only focus on taking care of their own business the rest of the way.
The Islanders (64 points) are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets (65 points) for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Both teams play on Thursday, so there's a scenario where the Isles can get back into a playoff position with a win and a Blue Jackets loss.

"We had a tough six-week stretch whatever the reason may be, but we have to rejuvenate and have to realize that it's right in front of us," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "I'm excited with where we're going and it's a tough road ahead, but we're going to hit it with everything we have."
The Isles are looking to bounce back after dropping a 5-3 decision to the Minnesota Wild on Monday afternoon. The Islanders felt they controlled most of the game, but were done in by a few bad decisions and their mistakes proved costly. They had won two straight before Monday's loss.
"We're trying to build off last game," Brock Nelson said. "It's disappointing not getting any points, but we did some good things. I felt like we had momentum and outplayed them for a majority of the game. Trying to elevate a little more and push hard here. We need all the points we can get."

LINEUP NOTES:

Jaroslav Halak will start in goal. Same lineup from Monday.
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:
SEASON SERIES:
The Maple Leafs lead the season series 1-0-0 after beating the Islanders 5-0 on Jan. 31. The Islanders are using that game as motivation heading into Thursday's game.
"Sometimes you say put it away, but that one was especially tough. I don't think we've forgotten how we played there," Brock Nelson said. "We want to go there and have a better result and walk away with two points, so we have to play better and harder."

BY THE NUMBERS:

900 - games for Andrew Ladd.Thursday night will be Andrew Ladd's 900th career NHL regular season game.

THE MAPLE LEAFS:

Last game:W 1-0 vs Florida
Leading Scorers: Goals:Auston Matthews - 27
Assists: Jake Gardiner - 33
Points: Auston Matthews - 49
The Leafs are sitting comfortably in third place in the Atlantic Division, with 21 points separating them from the fourth-place Florida Panthers. They beat the Panthers 1-0 on Tuesday night, have won two straight and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.
Frederik Andersen made 40 saves for the shutout win over the Panthers and the Leafs goalie has wins in five of his last six games. Andersen posted a 28-save shutout against the Islanders in the team's first meeting this season.
James van Riemsdyk brings a two-game goal streak into Thursday's game and has points in eight of his last nine games (5G, 3A).
Auston Matthews leads the Leafs in goals (27) and points (49). The Leafs star had a goal and an assist against the Isles earlier this season.
MAPLE LEAFS PROJECTED LINES:
| FORWARDS | | --- | | LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING | | ZACH HYMAN | AUSTON MATTHEWS | WILLIAM NYLANDER | | PATRICK MARLEAU | NAZEM KADRI | MITCH MARNER | | JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK | TYLER BOZAK | CONNOR BROWN | | LEO KOMAROV | DOMINIC MOORE | KASPERI KAPANEN |

| DEFENSE | | --- | | MORGAN RIELLY | RON HAINSEY | | JAKE GARDINER | NIKITA ZAITSEV | | TRAVIS DERMOTT | CONNOR CARRICK |