The Islanders begin 2025 largely where they concluded 2024, facing the Maple Leafs in a game that will tell us very little that we don’t already know.
It’s the rubber match of an odd three game set that began with an optimal conditions win in Toronto on Dec. 21, continued with a “good game” loss in Toronto on New Year’s Eve and concludes with the first home game of the new year tonight.
Though “just” five points behind the second wild card holders, this team is five teams back from that spot and battling the Rangers for the title of worst team in the Metro.