New york islanders toronto maple leafs

A classic NHL rivalry!

The New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a long and storied history, with many memorable games and moments between the two teams. Here are some interesting facts and tidbits about their rivalry:

1. Original Six: Both teams are part of the "Original Six" teams in the NHL, which were the six teams that made up the league from the 1942-1943 season to the 1967-1968 season. The other four teams were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens.
2. First Meeting: The Islanders and Maple Leafs first met on November 11, 1972, at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Maple Leafs won the game 4-2.
3. Rivalry Revival: The rivalry between the two teams was rekindled in the 1980s, when the Islanders and Maple Leafs became divisional rivals in the Patrick Division. This period saw many intense and physical games between the two teams.
4. Bryan Trottier: One of the most iconic players in Islanders history, Bryan Trottier, played against the Maple Leafs many times during his career. He holds the record for most points scored against the Maple Leafs with 64 points (24G, 40A) in 54 games.
5. John Tavares: In 2014, John Tavares, the Islanders' captain at the time, scored his 200th career goal against the Maple Leafs. Tavares has since become a Maple Leaf, signing with the team as a free agent in 2019.
6. Recent Rivalry: In recent years, the rivalry between the Islanders and Maple Leafs has been fueled by the teams' frequent matchups in the playoffs. The Islanders have eliminated the Maple Leafs from the playoffs twice in the past five years, including a thrilling seven-game series in 2019.
7. Current Roster: The Islanders and Maple Leafs have both undergone significant roster changes in recent years. The Islanders have built a strong core around players like Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, and Josh Bailey, while the Maple Leafs have a talented young group featuring Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

Some notable games between the two teams include:

• March 29, 1982: The Islanders defeat the Maple Leafs 5-2 in a game that features a memorable fight between Islanders' defenseman Denis Potvin and Maple Leafs' forward Darryl Sittler.
• April 10, 1993: The Maple Leafs eliminate the Islanders from the playoffs with a 4-3 win in Game 7 of their first-round series.
• April 23, 2019: The Islanders defeat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in Game 7 of their first-round series, advancing to the second round of the playoffs.

The rivalry between the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs is one of the most storied and intense in the NHL, with a rich history of memorable games and moments between the two teams.