The Toronto Maple Leafs secured their first victory of the 2026-27 NHL season on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders. Taking place on the second night of a back-to-back at Scotiabank Arena, this game marked Jim Hiller’s inaugural win as the team’s head coach. Compared to their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, which ended in a 3-2 home loss, the Maple Leafs played a noticeably more disciplined and tighter game.
Here are four key points from their first win of the season:
First, goaltender Anthony Stolarz made his season debut for Toronto and delivered an impressive performance. Coming off a less stellar 2025-26 season with a .893 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average, he responded with a standout game, stopping 26 of 27 shots for a .963 save percentage—the best since last October. Stolarz praised the team’s defensive efforts, noting their strong shot-blocking and shot-limiting tactics.
Second, Easton Cowan emerged as a highlight, contributing offensively with a goal and an assist—both facilitating Toronto’s goals. His dynamic play sparked optimism about his potential, with teammate Colton Sissons praising Cowan’s puck-handling and early chemistry with linemates. Aside from Jack Roslovic’s assist, Cowan and the third line, which included Sissons and Nick Paul, were the only Leafs to reach the scoresheet, showcasing their effectiveness both offensively and in maintaining possession.
Third, defensive pairings showed signs of improvement after shaky moments in the opener. Raddysh and Rielly, in particular, looked more composed, exchanging fewer giveaways and minimizing defensive errors. Morgan Rielly’s notable assist on a power play goal—picking off a clearance and setting up Cowan—highlighted effective puck management and offensive contributions from the blue line.
Lastly, Toronto’s penalty kill was flawless, successfully shutting down all four of the Islanders’ power plays. Key contributors included Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime, with Duhaime leading in blocks, and veteran defenders McCabe and Tanev combining for eight blocks. Their penalty-killing efficiency, now six-for-six, has established an encouraging strength early in the season.
Fan Take: This win signals a promising start for the Maple Leafs, indicating they can play more disciplined hockey and harness their depth effectively. If their defense and goaltending continue to improve, Toronto could indeed be a strong contender this season, which excites fans eager for a deep playoff run.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
