The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Long Island, New York as they begin a pair of games in the New York area beginning with a contest with the New York Islanders on Monday.
There’s usually a focal point on John Tavares anytime the team returns to the Island. The Maple Leafs captain was selected first overall by the Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft and chose to leave the club for the Maple Leafs on July 1, 2018. Since that time, Tavares’ return has typically been meant with heavy boos from Islanders fans, particularly anytime the player touches the puck.
But now Tavares returns just two points away from a significant milestone. He has 998 NHL points after picking up a secondary assist in Toronto’s 4-0 win against the Nashville Predators.
In typical Tavares fashion, he hasn’t liked talking about the milestone leading up to it. But with this also being the father’s trip, picking up 1000 career points against your former team would be quite the moment.
The Maple Leafs did not hold a practice on Sunday and will hold a full morning skate at UBS Arena where the lineup will come to form. It’s expected that the lineup would remain the same, including Ilya Samsonov likely starting in goal following his 18-save shutout performance on Saturday.
The Islanders currently sit in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 12-7-7 record. After a difficult start to their season that included a seven-game losing streak, New York is now 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. Mathew Barzal is leading the club with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists).
Samsonov starts, Lagesson is expected to draw in
Ilya Samsonov will make his second consecutive start in net since Joseph Woll went down with a high ankle injury.
William Lagesson is expected to return to the lineup and will skate on the second pair alongside Jake McCabe.
The Swedish defenseman has been out since Dec. 2 with an illness.
“I’ve really come to appreciate what he brings,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Lagesson’s game.” It’s a simplistic approach but very competitive and really good instincts with a good approach.”
The 27-year-old Swede signed a one-year, two-way contract this summer with the Maple Leafs. He has one assist in 14 games this season.
