Overview
- The New York Islanders beat Toronto 5-3 on Thursday, as rookie goalie Artur Akhtyamov stopped 39 of 44 in his first NHL start.
- Toronto was overwhelmed in shots, including a 24-3 first period, with loose net-front coverage giving New York repeated second and third looks.
- Forward Luke Haymes debuted and earned his first NHL point with a secondary assist on Morgan Rielly’s third-period goal.
- Defender William Villeneuve, expected to get a look, was a healthy scratch as Craig Berube dressed Philippe Myers instead.
- The outcome fueled New York’s late push under new coach Pete DeBoer, while handing Toronto a fifth loss in six games that keeps draft positioning in focus.