Islanders vs. Maple Leafs predictions: NHL odds, picks
It already feels like yesterday that John Tavares scored his 1,000th NHL point in UBS Arena and a cacophony of boos rained down upon the former Islanders captain.
The Islanders secured the 4-3 victory in overtime, but Thursday’s second chapter should feature a poised Toronto unit that is hot off a four-game streak in which it has outscored the opposition 16-3.
Granted, three of those four games were against the helpless likes of the Ducks and Sharks.
On the other hand, the Islanders are walking through a tough stretch in their January schedule, folding late against the pesky Golden Knights’ forecheck and getting pounded by an opportunistic Canucks club.
Ilya Sorokin’s play has not matched previous years.
The 2022-23 Vezina Trophy finalist looks fatigued without Semyon Varlamov around to provide reliable support.
Sorokin has conceded four goals or more in two of his last three games and 15 times this season.
Expectations for Sorokin were set astronomically high in terms of him covering up the Islanders’ deficiencies.
When he hasn’t been able to deliver game-changing saves on every defensive lapse, the Islanders slip.
The group in front of him is giving up 32.1 shots a night, which is the second-most in the league. So, it’s not right to place all blame on Sorokin.
And the Islanders turn the puck over at the 10th highest rate in the NHL while Toronto ranks 11th in turnovers forced.
William Nylander is playing dangerously as ever after getting inked to a gargantuan eight-year contract extension on Monday.
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The Swedish superstar has appeared on the scoresheet in all but four games this season and is No. 5 in points.
He’s complemented by Auston Matthews, the NHL’s leading goal scorer, and premier playmaker Mitch Marner.
The Isles are good for some high-danger scoring with Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat’s consistency, but I’m hammering the team that’s conjuring offensive looks with confidence and gradually gaining stability in the crease.
The play: Maple Leafs puck line -1.5 goals.
