NHL: Mathew Barzal logs 3 assists as Islanders down Maple Leafs

Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist Tuesday night as the visiting New York Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1.

Brayden Schenn and Emil Heineman also scored for the Islanders, who have won four of their last five games. Mathew Barzal added three assists, while Ilya Sorokin stopped 26 shots.

Steven Lorentz scored for the Maple Leafs, who are 2-1-1 in their past four games. Joseph Woll made 31 saves.

The Islanders struck for two power-play goals in the first period. Schenn scored his first goal since joining New York, finishing a backhand pass from Ritchie at 4:15, with Nicholas Robertson in the penalty box for slashing. Ritchie then jammed in his own rebound from the edge of the crease at 9:43, just nine seconds after Brandon Carlo was penalized for high-sticking.

In the second period, Bo Horvat hit the left post on a close-range shot following a Toronto turnover at 1:30. Toronto’s forechecking paid off at 4:40 when Lorentz scored from the right circle, snapping a 29-game goalless drought. Heineman restored New York’s two-goal lead at 11:57 with a blast from the right circle off Tony DeAngelo’s diagonal pass from the left point.

The Islanders held the Maple Leafs largely in check in the third period, limiting Toronto’s scoring chances. Max Domi tested Sorokin at 14:12, but New York’s defense and goaltending held firm. New York had a four-minute power play at 14:57 but did not score despite taking four shots. Toronto pulled Woll late for an extra attacker.

Eighteen-year-old Islanders defenseman Matthew Shaefer, who grew up near Toronto, had nearly 1,000 friends and family in attendance. He recorded an assist in the game.

The Maple Leafs, once known as the St. Patricks, wore white and green uniforms for the matchup. The Islanders previously defeated Toronto 4-3 in overtime at home on Jan. 3.

-Field Level Media/Reuters