The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders on October 1, 2026, marking their first regulation win of the 2026-27 season. The win came one night after the Leafs lost their season opener, providing quick redemption after what the team described as a difficult turnaround following the Kirill Marchenko trade.
The Leafs established an early lead and maintained control for most of the game. Easton Cowan was instrumental in the victory, scoring twice. According to the game review, Cowan’s first goal came after Nick Paul created a turnover in the offensive zone and cycled the puck low, with Paul later feeding Colton Sissons in front. Sissons’ deflection opened the scoring, and Cowan capitalized on a rebound shortly after to extend the lead to 2-0.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was credited with a strong performance, as the Islanders had difficulty generating dangerous scoring chances through much of the game. However, the Leafs’ lead was threatened late in the third period when the Islanders scored a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1. According to the review, the goal resulted from a 2v2 rush where William Nylander briefly lost position, allowing Emil Heineman to create a 2v1 and receive a cross-ice pass to score.
Coach Jim Hiller responded to the late goal by benching Nylander for the remainder of the game. The Islanders mounted a push in the final minutes, recording 10 shot attempts after scoring, though only three reached Stolarz.
The game was marked by several penalty calls that the reviewer described as problematic. John Tavares was called for slashing despite an Islanders player attempting to slash him first, and subsequent penalties were characterized as questionable. Despite these calls giving the Islanders extended zone time, the Leafs successfully killed penalties throughout the game.
Easton Cowan emerged as a standout performer, playing a role on the penalty kill and power play in addition to his two goals. The Nick Paul line with Cowan and Colton Sissons was identified as the Leafs’ most effective unit. Sissons also hit the post and had other scoring opportunities beyond his goal.
Key facts
- The Leafs won 2-1 against the Islanders on October 1, 2026, their first regulation victory of the 2026-27 season
- Easton Cowan scored twice for Toronto
- The Islanders scored a shorthanded goal in the third period to make it 2-1
- Anthony Stolarz made several key saves in goal for the Leafs
- William Nylander was benched by coach Jim Hiller after allowing the shorthanded goal
- The Nick Paul line with Cowan and Sissons was the Leafs’ best performing unit