Rapid Reaction: Mathematically Eliminated, Lose 4-2 to Leafs

After a hectic season, from the start, the New York Islanders were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention as they fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 3-2. The Islanders are now 35-31-9.

How It Happened:

Anthony Beauviller gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 14:17 of the first period as he beat Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Jack Campbell blocker side through a screen for his 12th of the season. His power-play goal was assisted by Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock.

Mitch Marner tied the contest at one with his 34th goal of the season at 17:31 of the first period as he buried a rebound off a Mark Giordano shot. Girodano and Michael Bunting were credited with the assists.

Josh Bailey was credited with the Islanders second goal of the contest as he fed a puck to the front of the net which went off Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot just 29 seconds into the second period. Bailey’s 11th goal of the season was unassisted.

Pierre Engvall tied the contest at two as he finished off a strong pass by Kerfoot for his 14th of the season. Kerfoot and Justin Holl with the assists at 10:49 of the second period.

William Nylanders gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead on the power play at 13:20 of the second period as he beat Ilya Sorokin through the wickets for his 31st goal of the season. John Tavares and Michael Bunting were credited with the assists.

David Kampf scored his 10th of the season on the empty-net with 8.1 seconds to go in the third.

Beauvillier Snaps Streak

It had been nine games since Anthony Beauvillier registered a point. But that came to a close in the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While the New York Islanders were on the power play, Anthony Beauvillier recieved a pass from Kyle Palmieri at the top of the right circle and after a few stick handles, let the puck go into the top left portion of the Toronto net.

Beau keeps the feet moving and finds an opening for a PPG! pic.twitter.com/ByWeOAV7wb

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 18, 2022

That was Anthony Beauvillier’s 12th goal of the season, his sixth on the power play.

Sorokin Strong in Fourth Straight Game

With netminder Semyon Varlamov still dealing with the stomach bug, Ilya Sorokin started his fourth consecutive game. Sorokin was coming off a 44-save shutout on Friday over the Montreal Canadiens, a career-high in saves. He had started the night prior in a 6-3 losing effort to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night, Sorokin was called upon often. Despite allowing three goals, Sorokin came up large to allow the Islanders every chance to coem back in the contest.

Through two periods, Sorokin faced 21 shots. In the third period, Sorokin faced 15 shots and allowed none. The 16th for Toronto was the empty-net goal.

That included a few saves while the Islanders had two players in the penalty box with Toronto, the top power-play team in the NHL, having over a minute of 5 on 3 time.

Cizikas Penalty Costly

With the game tied at two, New York Islanders forward and top penalty killer Casey Cizikas headed to the penalty box for slashing Toronto Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds.

On the ensuing power play, the Leafs capitalized to take a 3-2 lead.

Some powerplay style for ya! 😎 pic.twitter.com/oePrwhnf8E

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 18, 2022

Casey Cizikas has taken too many trips to the penalty box this season, as he is second on the team with 24 penalties this season.

NOTES:

Kieffer Bellows and Zach Parise swapped sides as Bellows played on the left side of Mathew Barzal, with Parise on the right.

Ross Johnston replaced Oliver Wahlstrom on the fourth line.

Defenseman Sebastian Aho replaced defenseman Grant Hutton on the third pairing, alongside Andy Greene.

Netminder Semyon Varlamov (illness) missed his second straight game as Ilya Sorokin started his fourth straight contest.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (abundance of caution) did not play.

Linesman Scott Cherrey officiated his 1,000th NHL game.

WHAT’S NEXT: Islanders host the Panthers Tuesday night at 7 PM at UBS Arena