NHL | Toronto Maple Leafs to the New York Islanders
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders and their fans welcome former captain John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs to town in a highly anticipated show that will certainly inspire Islanders fervor.

The Maple Leafs hit the road to face the New York Islanders in Brooklyn on Thursday night as they seek their second win in as many nights as they defeated the modest Oilers at home last night. Toronto has become one of the best teams in the league in the last two seasons and the addition of local superstar and long-time Islanders captain John Tavares has pushed them over the edge but it certainly left them with a bitter taste in their mouths. you can be sure that Tavares will hear boo birds Tuesday night. Toronto is 8-3 in its last 11 games against the Metro Division and 4-1 in its last 5 meetings with the Islanders, but they have lost their only game this season at home and will want to take their place. revenge in this one. . Garrett Sparks should start against Robin Lehner.

The Islanders and their fans have included this date on the calendar since the regular season schedule and, although Tavares has dedicated many years of quality to the organization and is one of the best of all times, he has found that he had abandoned the franchise. left them with nothing in return. However, the islands were very strong in his absence and they were renamed under the tutelage of Barry Trotz and they could very well qualify for the playoffs with their way of playing since last month. The Isles are 7-1 in their last 8 games as home favorites and 8-2 in their last 10 home games, which bodes well for them here against a Maple Leafs team that has been good on the road but who plays short of rest.

The Leafs are 5-2 in their last 7 games against the Western Conference and have hit the bottom in 3 of their last 4 games as a dog, while the Islanders are 5 -1 in their last 6 games on Thursday and have beaten the under 6 against the Atlantic. The two teams will be ready for this match, the Buds will seek to return their new teammate while the Isles and their fans will be looking for blood. In the end, the goalies will make the difference and Lehner has the advantage, as does the local team at this location.