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Maple Leafs aim to halt skid vs. Islanders

Dec 8, 2008 - 3:35 PM NY Islanders (10-14-2) at Toronto (9-12-6) 7:30 p.m. EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- A pair of last-place teams will look to halt losing streaks Monday when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders.

After Toronto gave up 11 goals in consecutive losses last week, the league's worst defensive team held the high-scoring Washington Capitals to just a pair of goals in a 2-1 defeat.

Vesa Toskala, who has lost three straight games, made 28 saves in a losing effort.

Nik Antropov tied the game at 1-1 in the third period, but Milan Jurcina put Washington back in front 60 seconds later and handed Toronto its third straight loss.

The Maple Leafs have allowed an NHL-high 96 goals on the season and are tied with Ottawa for last place in the Northeast Division with 24 points.

New York has not fared much better defensively of late, allowing 24 goals in its last five contests, posting a 1-4-0 record in that span.

Bill Guerin scored his 10th goal of the season to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead against the Thrashers on Saturday, but goaltender Joey MacDonald allowed five goals as New York lost, 5-1.

Monday's matchup opens a stretch of 12 of 16 away games for the Islanders, who are better on the road (5-6-1) than at home (5-8-1).