McMann scores twice, Woll’s 30 saves, and more: 3 reasons why Toronto Maple Leafs won 2-1 over New York Islanders

The Toronto Maple Leafs edged the New York Islanders 2-1 on Thursday night at UBS Arena. The game came down to the wire, with the Islanders seemingly scoring the equalizer, but the goal was waved off on the ice. Video review confirmed that it was a no-goal, preserving the Leafs’ 2-1 lead.

Bobby McMann scored twice for the Toronto Maple Leafs, notching up the game-winner, a power play tally late in the third. Scott Mayfield got his second of the season for the New York Islanders to tie the game late in the second period.

So, let’s take a look at the three key reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs edged out the New York Islanders.

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Three reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Islanders

#3 Huge penalty kill effort

With the Toronto Maple Leafs leading 1-0 midway through the second period, they got in trouble by taking two penalties in a row, setting up the Isles for a brief two-man advantage and a four-minute power play.

However, the Leafs killed off the power play opportunity, keeping the Islanders to just two shots on goal during the four-minute sequence. The Leafs penalty kill was effective enough to the point where Mitch Marner almost tallied a shorthanded goal.

Despite the Islanders eventually tying the game late in the second, the Leafs’ penalty kill kept them in the game, preventing the Islanders from taking the game and running.

#2 Bobby McMann provided the offense

With captain Auston Matthews missing his sixth game in a row due to injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ depth players stood up. On Thursday night, Bobby McMann led the way with a pair of goals.

He opened the scoring in the second, notching up his 11th of the season following a controversial hit by Max Domi on Isaiah George. The ensuing mayhem allowed McMann to pick up the puck and rifle a shot past Ilya Sorokin.

McMann then scored a huge power play late in the third, firing on a wide-open cage, giving the Leafs a 2-1 lead. McMann’s performance was crucial, as the Islanders succeeded in shutting down the Leafs’ top scorers, especially William Nylander. McMann was named the game’s first star.

#1 Joseph Woll's stops stymied the Islanders

Joseph Woll was fantastic for the Leafs, stopping 30 shots in the win. The Islanders pushed in the third, forcing Woll to make numerous saves.

However, Woll’s performance truly made the difference. During the four-minute shorthanded sequence, he stopped a wicked one-timer from Bo Horvat, preserving the Leafs’ 1-0 lead.

Woll also made a tremendous save on Brock Nelson in the third after misplaying the puck behind the net. Woll recovered in time to rob Nelson of what would have been the go-ahead goal at the time. Woll’s efforts earned him the game’s second star.