Tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET, the New York Islanders (8-10-3, 19 points) and Toronto Maple Leafs (12-7-1, 25 points) faceoff live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto in the first of three meetings against each other this season. The game can be live streamed here. Toronto fans can hear all of the action on Sportsnet 590 The Fan while Islanders fans can do the same on WRHU 88.7 FM.
Both teams enter play with key pieces missing as New York's goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (5-5-3, 3.30 goals-against average, .892 save percentage) is on injured reserve with a groin injury while Toronto will be without Nazem Kadri, who is third on the team with 14 points off of five goals and nine assists and is serving the third game of his three-game suspension for an illegal hit against Minnesota goaltender Niklas Backstrom.
Kevin Poulin took over for Nabokov when he was injured in the Islanders' eventual 5-4 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings Saturday, and will look to lead the team with Nabokov sidelined for at least four weeks.
"I think every player that works his way up from the minors, every player who pays his dues, wants that opportunity," coach Jack Capuano told Newsday. "Kevin's no different than Brock Nelson or Aaron Ness or Matt Donovan. He's going to get to play some more hockey in a very different role."
Poulin, 23, is 3-5-0 with a 2.52 GAA and a .909 save percentage. Toronto has started Jonathan Bernier in 13 of the team's 22 games, and he's posted a 7-5-1 record along with a 2.05 GAA and a .938 save percentage.
Toronto comes into the game with a 7-2-0 home record and traded for Pete Holland and Brad Staubitz, and Staubitz will report to their minor league affiliate while Holland found himself practicing on the team's top line Monday.
"It's not just a short-term solution," general manager Dave Nonis told the National Post about the trade for Holland. "We look at the long term for him and we think he has the potential to be a long-term player for us. Whether or not he continues to contribute here will depend on his play."
The Leafs have been led up front by Phil Kessel, who has 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points while James van Riemsdyk (nine goals, six assists) and Mason Raymond (seven goals, eight assists) each have 15 points.
The Islanders have been paced by team captain John Tavares, who has lit the lamp nine times and added 16 assists for 25 points while Frans Nielsen also has nine tallies and has added 12 helpers for 21 points and Kyle Okposo has found the twine six times and added 14 assists for 20 points.
The Maple Leafs will look to continue their solid home performances while the Islanders look for their young goaltender to gain some great experience when these teams hit the ice tonight at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto
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