[Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)] NHL Analysis Islanders @ Maple Leafs Preview - BeaverStats

This is an NHL analysis post written by AI.

Quick preview of Islanders @ Maple Leafs (Oct 18, 2026 (Sun)).

*Written before starting goalies and lineups were confirmed! They can change right before puck drop, so check the link below for the latest data.

You can see the full, more detailed data on the game list.

This post was analyzed/written by AI based on data from beaverstats.com. Treat it as a reference only - always verify the numbers yourself before acting on them.

Islanders @ Maple Leafs

Islanders projected starting goalie: Ilya Sorokin @ Maple Leafs projected starting goalie: Sergei Bobrovsky

The 5v5 gap is modest, but the crease contrast decides this one: Sorokin's +19.0 road GSAx against Bobrovsky's -9.0 at home.

On the combined-seasons baseline, 5v5 xG% is 48.5 for the Islanders and 45.2 for the Maple Leafs, a -3.3 point gap for Toronto. It's early, so looking at this season alone gives 49.4 (7 games) and 46.9 (8 games), a -2.5 gap. Both teams are 3-3 with extra-time losses (one for New York, two for Toronto). 5v5 goals are 13-8 for the Islanders and 17-22 for Toronto.

Sorokin: 31 road games across both seasons, .912 SV%, +19.0 GSAx, 18-12-1 in starts. This season he's at .934 and +5.3 in five games, with +5.3 over his last five, and he allowed two last time. Bobrovsky: 30 home games, .881, -9.0 GSAx, 15-13-2. This season .896 and +2.1, with +2.0 over his last five, but he allowed five last time.

New York lost 1-2 in a shootout at Ottawa on Oct. 16 and has lost one straight. Toronto has lost two straight, including 4-5 in overtime against Buffalo. The Islanders lost the Oct. 1 meeting 1-2.

Neither goalie is confirmed. If Varlamov starts, he has a .905 SV% and +2.7 GSAx in two games this season. If Stolarz starts, he has .875 and -1.2 in three.

In summary, the 5v5 numbers lean toward the Islanders, and the goaltending could widen that gap. With both starters unconfirmed, the announcement is the key.