Islanders Secure 3-1 Victory Over Maple Leafs

TORONTO — There was quite a bit of anticipation leading up to Matthew Schaefer’s first game in Toronto, but it was actually Cal Ritchie, the Islanders’ other rookie from the area, who found the net in his homecoming on Tuesday.

Despite the Islanders’ inconsistent power play this season, the 5-4 unit finally seemed to hit its stride, scoring twice for the second time in four matches. This all contributed to a solid 3-1 win against a Maple Leafs team that appeared to be struggling after missing the playoff cut.

The Islanders executed their game plan well, taking the lead just over four minutes in and then expertly defending it. They maintained possession and kept the puck deep, effectively keeping Toronto at bay. It wasn’t the most thrilling game, but the performances from Ritchie and the power play could have important implications for the team’s future.

Ritchie has had his confidence tested at times this season. A few weeks back, it seemed the team was expecting more from the 21-year-old. However, he’s been transitioning to a wing position smoothly, now playing alongside veterans Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee, who provide the experience and strength that Ritchie lacks.

No one was surprised when Brayden Schenn, assigned as Ritchie’s mentor, scored his first goal with the Isles, courtesy of an assist from the rookie. It was a sweet moment during a power-play goal set up by Matthew Barzal and capped off by Schenn.

Schenn’s goal was just the first of two power-play goals in the first period; Ritchie quickly followed, scoring off his own rebound mere seconds after Brandon Carlo was sent off for a high stick. This has got to give Ritchie a significant confidence boost. His recent performances, especially the strong power play showcased in last week’s win over the Islanders in St. Louis, suggest he’s finding his rhythm.

At this stage of the season, salvaging the Islanders’ dismal power play ranking feels unlikely, but they can still make it irrelevant with improvement.

Coach Patrick Roy and assistant Ray Bennett emphasize a straightforward approach on the power play: stop seeking perfection and just shoot the puck. Thankfully, signs of progress are finally showing.

With all of this — plus Barzal’s first three-assist game since January 2024 — you might expect more excitement than what unfolded. But aside from a couple of moments, like Morgan Rielly’s impressive stop on Emil Heineman, the game felt somewhat uneventful.

The Leafs, lacking energy in front of a quiet home crowd, never really pushed hard, and the Islanders were quite content with that. Overall, it wasn’t the most dynamic 60 minutes of the season, but if the team can keep this up, it might become a memorable game in the long run.