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Islanders host Maple Leafs in critical late-season matchup

Apr 5, 2007 - 3:33 PM Toronto (39-30-11) at NY Islanders (37-30-12) 7:30 pm EDT

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- Don't tell the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders that the playoffs have not started.

In a critical Eastern Conference matchup with major postseason ramifications, the Leafs visit the the New York Islanders on Thursday.

The Leafs and Islanders still have their sights set on catching Montreal (42-32-6) for the eighth and final playoff spot. With two games to play, Toronto trails the Canadiens by one point and the Islanders are four points back of eighth place, with three games left.

Toronto hosts Montreal on Saturday night.

The situation is far more urgent for the Islanders, who would be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose one more game and Montreal manages one point in either of its two remaining games.

Toronto remained in the playoff hunt with a 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Bryan McCabe scored the game-winning goal on the power play 2:18 into overtime.

The Islanders snapped a four-game losing streak Tuesday night with a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers in a shootout. Goaltender Wade Dubielewicz keyed the victory, stopping three shots in the shootout.

The Islanders lead the season series 2-1-0, with both victories coming via the shootout.