Toronto Maple Leafs beat Islanders 2-1 for Jim Hiller’s first win
The Toronto Maple Leafs achieved their first victory of the 2026-27 NHL season, defeating the New York Islanders 2-1. Easton Cowan contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves. The win marked Jim Hiller’s first as head coach, improving Toronto’s record to 1-1-0.
The Toronto Maple Leafs earned their first victory of the 2026-27 NHL season Wednesday, defeating the New York Islanders 2-1 at Scotiabank Arena behind a two-point performance from Easton Cowan and 26 saves from Anthony Stolarz.
The win also marked Jim Hiller’s first as Toronto’s head coach, one night after the Maple Leafs opened their season with a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Cowan scored the eventual game-winner and assisted on Colton Sissons’ opening goal, helping Toronto build a two-goal advantage in the first period. New York cut the deficit late in the third, but the Maple Leafs held on to improve to 1-1-0.
Toronto’s special teams also played an important role, converting one of four power-play opportunities while successfully killing all four penalties, including two in the final period.
Toronto Maple Leafs build early lead against Islanders
New York controlled the opening minutes, registering the first four shots of the game before Nick Paul finally tested Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin at 7:04.
Ten seconds later, Toronto was ahead.
Cowan started the scoring sequence by carrying the puck out of the corner and finding Paul in the offensive zone. Paul sent a shot toward the net, where Sissons redirected it past Sorokin to give the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead at 7:14.
The goal changed the direction of a period that had initially favoured the visitors.
Toronto extended its advantage at 11:55 while playing with the man advantage.
Morgan Rielly kept the puck inside the offensive zone by intercepting a clearing attempt at the blue line. He moved it to Jack Roslovic, whose shot from the left face-off circle produced a rebound off Sorokin’s pad.
Cowan was positioned near the opposite post and finished the loose puck to make it 2-0.
The 21-year-old forward had contributed to both goals, providing Toronto with an early advantage despite New York’s stronger start.
Easton Cowan makes an impact in second NHL season
Cowan’s performance was particularly encouraging for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the young forward begins his second full NHL campaign.
The 21-year-old appeared in 66 games during the 2025-26 season, recording 11 goals and 18 assists.
He also gained valuable postseason experience with the Toronto Marlies, producing eight goals and 10 assists in 22 American Hockey League playoff games as the club captured the Calder Cup.
That experience has helped Cowan approach his second NHL season with greater confidence.
“Anytime you are playing pro in the playoffs, it helps a lot,” Cowan said. “So, I have a lot of confidence heading into this year, and it was great to get that win, for sure.”
Against the Islanders, Cowan demonstrated his ability to contribute in different situations, helping create Toronto’s opening goal before finishing the second on the power play.
His early production provided the difference in a game where the Maple Leafs needed to protect a narrow lead through the final minutes.
Anthony Stolarz protects Toronto’s advantage
While Cowan led the offensive contributions, Stolarz delivered several important saves to keep the Toronto Maple Leafs in front.
One of his biggest stops came at 6:38 of the third period.
Anthony Duclair had an opportunity near the side of Toronto’s net, but Stolarz reached back with his right pad to prevent the Islanders from cutting into the lead.
The goaltender described the play as a difficult reaction save that required him to extend his body while tracking Duclair’s movement.
New York eventually broke through at 14:09, when Emil Heineman scored a short-handed goal.
Heineman moved ahead of William Nylander and received a pass from Bo Horvat before lifting the puck past Stolarz, reducing Toronto’s lead to 2-1.
The goal gave the Islanders a chance to complete a late comeback, but Toronto maintained its advantage through the remaining minutes.
Sorokin finished with 24 saves for New York, which dropped its season opener.
Jim Hiller earns first victory as Maple Leafs coach
For Hiller, the result represented his first regular-season win since taking over the Toronto Maple Leafs following Craig Berube’s departure.
Hiller was appointed on June 17 and entered Wednesday’s matchup looking for a response after Toronto’s opening-night defeat against Montreal.
The Maple Leafs delivered through a combination of early scoring, effective penalty killing and timely goaltending.
“It was great to see that type of a win,” Hiller said. “You like to see the easy ones, trust me, when you are standing behind the bench, but you appreciate the hardness, the blocked shots, the desperation at the end.”
Toronto’s performance was not without challenges. The Islanders generated early pressure and remained within striking distance throughout the third period.
However, the Maple Leafs were able to defend their advantage and secure two points.
With their first victory under Hiller secured, the Toronto Maple Leafs move forward with a 1-1-0 record after splitting their opening two games of the season.
