Maple Leafs' four game run over as they let one slip away against the Islanders

continued his torrid scoring pace Thursday but it wasn't enough as the couldn't overcome their mistakes against the New York Islanders. Mathew Barzal scored in overtime after the Islanders rallied from a two goal deficit and New York beat Toronto 4 3 at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. “It was a back and forth game, a game of inches,” Matthews said.

“Obviously, you'd like to get that extra point in overtime.” A game after passed Frank Mahovlich for seventh in all time Leafs points, Matthews scored the 332nd goal of his career to tie Ron Ellis for fourth place on the Leafs’ goal scoring list. “It means a lot, starting out together, going through our ups and downs,” Matthews said of his partnership with Marner.

“This is our eighth season together. We just continue to try to grow, and support each other. It's nice to be mentioned with some of the greats who have worn a Maple Leafs jersey. “But in the end, we're all trying to accomplish the same goal, which is to win a championship together. That's the mindset.

The other stuff is just a cherry on top.” Another mark will soon fall: Matthews became the second player to record 70 career multi goal games with the Maple Leafs, behind only (71). Matthews leads the league with 33 goals and is on pace for 70. Marner picked up an assist and has seven points in his last four games.

Bobby McMann had the Leafs' first goal. stopped 27 of 31 shots. He has had a successful run since taking over as the No. 1 goalie, but he had a tougher night Thursday. That was largely because his teammates played poorly in front of him. “They're a good team,” Jones said. “They play really hard.

They forecheck hard. They're big and physical. They're really good in front of the net. It was a difficult night, for sure, dealing with traffic and sticks in front.” On Barzal's winning overtime goal, for example, defenceman Jake McCabe, who had needlessly iced the puck, lost Barzal off the faceoff and Barzal had an easy tip in past a helpless Jones.

It was the Leafs' first loss in five games. And they did get a point to extend their points streak to five games. Jones has played in six straight. “I'm all right,” he said. “I'm feeling good.” The Islanders proved to be a more formidable opponent than the Leafs had faced in , going toe to toe with them through 40 minutes and emerging with a 3 3 tie heading into the third.

Mistakes crept into the Leafs game. A rare Matthews penalty on the game's first shift resulted in a 1 0 Islanders lead just 40 seconds into the game. It didn't help that Jones misdirected the rebound off his blocker straight to Kyle Palmieri after Noah Dobson's initial shot. "Just overplayed it a bit," Jones said.

"It hit the inside of my blocker and bounced the other way." McMann tied the game on a terrific one timer as the fourth line produced another strong game, not just getting pucks deep but making plays. Matthews struck twice early in the second, both in eye popping fashion. One was a patient sweep across the Islanders crease.

The other was a between the legs pass to himself for a backhander between the legs of Ilya Sorokin. Had this been one of the weak California opponents the Leafs had played recently, that might have been game over. But the Islanders have playoff aspirations, and seemed to shoot high on Jones, picking corners, exposing a possible weak spot on the Leafs goalie who has been earning so much praise lately.

Alexander Romanov picked the far corner, and Bo Horvat deflected a shot high on a power play on an Islanders possession made possible because of a Mark Giordano giveaway. didn't miss any time despite leaving Wednesday's practice after falling awkwardly and needing help leaving the ice. “It felt serious when I was leaving the ice, but I just had to let it settle down.

I'm fortunate it's nothing serious and I can move on from it.” was scratched despite scoring in Tuesday's win over San Jose. And defencemen Conor Timmins and William Lagesson continued to watch games from the sidelines. Lagesson missed his seventh straight game. Timmins missed his ninth straight.

“This is the situation,” Keefe said. “We think we've found a pretty good groove, both in how we've played as a team and in how the pairs have meshed together. For the time being, while we're healthy, we don't see a reason to change. Timmins and Lagesson have to stay ready, maximize every rep they can.

Both of those players have been in this situation before. It's the reality of the league.”.