Toronto @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2019 ) Toronto 2, NY Islanders 1

The New York Islanders likely won't need much in the way of motivation on Wednesday as they welcome former captain John Tavares and the Toronto Maple Leafs to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Tavares will be making his third trip to Long Island after signing a seven-year, $77 million contract to join his hometown Maple Leafs prior to the 2018-19 season.

Tavares, who was considered the face of the Islanders' franchise for nine years, was booed each time he touched the puck and derisively serenaded in New York's 6-1 romp over Toronto on Feb. 28. The 29-year-old, who netted the eventual game-winning goal in his next trip to Long Island on April 1, has scored a goal and set up another in two of his last three contests overall for a Maple Leafs' team that has lost six of its last 10. The Islanders, on the other hand, rebounded from seeing their 10-game winning streak come to a halt with a 4-3 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over Florida two days later. Mathew Barzal scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season in the first period against the Panthers and set up defenseman Scott Mayfield's go-ahead tally in the third to complete his 38th career multi-point performance.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (9-6-4): While Toronto lost Mitch Marner for at least four weeks due to a high-ankle sprain, fellow forward Zach Hyman is expected to make his season debut after spending the past seven months recovering from a torn ACL sustained in the first-round playoff series against Boston. "It's exciting. Felt good today. It's exciting to go," said the 27-year-old Hyman, who notched an assist in all three meetings with the Islanders last season. William Nylander, who was held off the scoresheet in each encounter with New York, but he tallied twice on Sunday for his third multi-point performance over his last four games.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (12-3-1): Andrew Ladd has put himself in position to make his season debut on Wednesday after working his way back from ACL surgery and completing a conditioning stint with Bridgeport of the American Hockey League. Ladd won't be the lone addition to the lineup against Toronto as former Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov is expected to end an eight-game absence due to both illness and a neck injury. "It's always big (to get guys back in the lineup)," forward Josh Bailey said. "Those were key players in the lineup and key players in the room as well. They're welcomed back for sure. The other guys who have stepped in have done a great job for us and really contributed. That's all you can ask."

OVERTIME

1. Toronto C Auston Matthews earned NHL's Second Star of the Week honors after recording nine points (two goals, seven assists) during his four-game point streak.

2. Islanders RW Cal Clutterbuck and C Casey Cizikas are expected to play versus the Maple Leafs after answering a maintenance day by returning to practice on Tuesday.

3. Toronto G Frederik Andersen sports a 7-1-1 record with one shutout in nine career contests against New York.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Maple Leafs 3