The Islanders and Leafs battle for key points in the Eastern Conference playoff race (7 p.m., MSG+2)
ByCory Wright
NewYorkIslanders.com
New York Islanders (22-18-10) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (24-17-9)
Toronto (57 points) is one of the teams between the Islanders and a playoff spot, though the Leafs can bypass the Wild Card and jump to third in the Atlantic Division with a win on Monday. "Every game is huge. These divisional games and conference games at this time of the year every point is important," Ryan Strome said on Saturday. "We are aware of the standings, we know where the Leafs are, we know where we are and it should be a good one on Monday."
Isles Vs. Leafs:
The Islanders defeated the Leafs 5-1 on October 30, scoring three straight third period goals en route to the win. Overall, the Islanders are 4-1-1 in their last six games against the Leafs.
Young Maple Leafs in the Mix:
The Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild appears to be ahead of schedule. After finishing last in the Eastern Conference last season, the Leafs are in the East playoff picture this season. Fifty games in, Toronto is just five wins shy of matching their total from last season (29) and are one point back of the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Rookies Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are driving the bus in the accelerated Leafs' turnaround. Matthews - the 2016 first-overall pick - leafs the Leafs with 23 goals, while Marner has a team-high 44 points (13G, 31A). Marner brings a three-game point streak (2G, 3A) into Monday's action, while Matthews is coming off a three-assist game against Boston. The Leafs ended a three-game losing streak on Saturday winning an important head-to-head matchup with the Bruins.
