The New York Islanders are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, and their first period goal production is sad to say the least. They had only scored 13 first period goals coming into this game.

But this is the Maple Leafs, and things always change when playing the Maple Leafs. Raycroft gets the start, his first in 12 games, as Toskala has a nagging groin injury (not good at all).

Right from the get-go, shots were blazing, and goals were scored. Alex Steen started it off at 6:13, but was quickly followed up by the Islanders. At 13:02, Mark Bell crashed the net and was rewarded for hard work with a tally to put the Buds up by 1. The Islanders kept pressing the attack though, and Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin each had first period markers to end the period 3-2 for the Islanders.

13 first period goals before this game, and 3 first period goals to start this game. Ouch.

After a shaky first period, Raycroft settled in and made some great saves. He gave the team a chance to get back in it. They rewarded his work with a shorthanded marker from Alex Steen at 1:15 of the third period.

It stayed that way to the end of the period. Once again, off to overtime. However, this time around, the results were not the same. We even had a powerplay chance. Richard Park took a hooking penalty at 2:17 of the extra frame. The Leafs could not muster anything on it though. Park jumped out of the sin bin, skated down the ice and blasted a shot at Raycroft. The save was made, but the shot was followed up by Mike Comrie, who tucked the puck behind Raycroft.

The failed powerplay, or depending how you look at it, successful penalty kill, gave the momentum to the Islanders, and they capitalized on the opportunity.

Not a good welcome back for Andrew Raycroft. With Toskala sidelined (hopefully VERY temporarily), Raycroft is going to be playing for a bit. Let’s hope the rust received from warming the bench fell off completely during this game.