3 Takeaways From Maple Leafs’ 5-3 Loss to Islanders – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs
Call it the “new coach bump” or depression. In any case, the New York Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3, handing the Maple Leafs their fifth loss in six games. Steven Lorentz, Easton Cowan, and Morgan Rielly scored for Toronto, while Artur Akhtyamov made 39 saves on 44 shots.
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Brayden Schenn, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Matthew Schaefer, Emil Heineman, and Calum Ritchie scored for the Islanders, while Ilya Sorokin made 13 saves on 16 shots.
Welcome to the League, Rook
Akhtyamov made his first start in the NHL on Thursday night, and what a start it was. For all the wrong reasons, no less. The 24-year-old was peppered on numerous occasions, holding his own between the pipes, although he conceded five goals on the night.
We all know by now that the Maple Leafs are no joke. Yeah, yeah, I know, except for a top five draft pick. By the way, this season is over. That said, and we’ve said it before, it’s still great to see a team working hard, competing, and giving each other back. We have already seen the team without their captain, but they will redeem themselves a few weeks later.
This was a completely different way of not having my partner’s back. In Akhtyamov’s first half, the Maple Leafs were outscored 24-3 in the first half, and after 40 minutes they were outscored 36-9. What a way to welcome a rookie to a great team, guys.
This team’s identity, or lack thereof, has been dissected all season, and I have nothing new to add. It may not mean anything for a long time. Indeed, we can describe it as another poor performance in a season full of them. It’s really disappointing to see a veteran team, for the most part, leave a rookie goalie out to dry like that.
Easton Cowan continues to impress
At 1:57 of the second period, Cowan scored his 11th goal of the season on a perfect wrist shot from the slot. Cowan has two goals and five points in his last five games, and 11 goals and 27 points in 63 games this season.
Whatever we said about the Maple Leafs’ lack of interest and competitiveness, the same cannot be said for Cowan. The kid plays with an edge and a grit that you can’t help but feel.
When a season like this ends, managers and fans look at who should be part of the team’s future. Everyone should enjoy what we are seeing from Cowan right now, and it will be interesting to see how his game develops next season.
You Never Know How The Ping Pong Balls Will Fall
Last season at the end of 82 games the Islanders finished in 23rd place. A few months later, the lottery balls came in their favor, and they wrote the first overall. With that decision, as we all know by now, the Islanders drafted Schaefer, who has taken Long Island and the NHL by storm.
Before last season, the Islanders had been mediocre for a long time. Even in the seasons where they played in the playoffs, they were not a fun team to watch. Just a bunch of boring, low-event hockey. Even when they win.
From the minute the puck dropped at the start of the 2025-26 season, the Islanders have been a fun team to watch, and that has turned into a team that could find itself back in the playoffs. Without this time, there is an opportunity to perhaps do harm.
As of now, the Maple Leafs are 27th in the NHL, and their chances of falling into the bottom five in the lottery increase with every unhealthy loss. They may end up giving the Boston Bruins their first round pick even if they finish in the bottom five. However, it’s okay to be a little excited. You never know where the ping pong balls will land.
Next to the Maple Leaves
The Maple Leafs will host the Florida Panthers on Saturday night and the Dallas Stars on Monday night, before closing out their season in Ottawa against the Senators on Wednesday night.
