TORONTO (AP) — Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist on a pair of first-period power plays as the New York Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Brayden Schenn scored his first goal since being acquired from St. Louis ahead of the trade deadline, and Emil Heineman also scored for the Islanders, who have won nine of 12.
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Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) shoots on New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto, on Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York Islanders' Emil Heineman, center, shoots on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Max Domi (11) runs into New York Islanders' Carson Soucy (4) during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto, on Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) reacts at the final buzzer as New York Islanders celebrate their win during an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York Islanders' Brayden Schenn celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves for New York, and Mathew Barzal had three assists.
Steven Lorentz scored for Toronto. Joseph Woll stopped 31 shots.
The Leafs fell to 2-1-1 since losing captain Auston Matthews for the season to a knee injury — a run on the heels of an ugly 0-6-2 slide that all but cratered their playoff hopes.
New York's Matthew Schaefer picked up an assist to move within one point of becoming the fourth rookie defenseman in franchise history to reach 50 in a season. The 18-year-old is looking to join Stefan Persson (56 in 1977-78), Denis Potvin (54 in 1973-74) and Vladimir Malakhov (52 in 1992-93).
Schenn scored on the game's first power play at 4:15 of the first. Ritchie doubled New York's lead at 9:43, also with the man advantage.
Toronto entered Tuesday with the NHL’s third-best penalty kill at 83.5%. New York’s power play was 29th at 15.9%.
Islanders: Visit Ottawa on Thursday.
Maple Leafs: Host Carolina on Friday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) shoots on New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto, on Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York Islanders' Emil Heineman, center, shoots on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Max Domi (11) runs into New York Islanders' Carson Soucy (4) during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto, on Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) reacts at the final buzzer as New York Islanders celebrate their win during an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York Islanders' Brayden Schenn celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday March 17, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Nick Foligno wants to help the Minnesota Wild win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. He also wants to see a turnaround for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Foligno skated for 12 1/2 minutes in Minnesota's 4-3 overtime win over Chicago on Tuesday night in the first matchup between the Central Division rivals since the Wild acquired the 38-year-old forward in a trade with the rebuilding Blackhawks.
Foligno received a warm ovation when he was introduced with Minnesota's starting lineup, and Chicago paid tribute to its former captain with a highlight video during a timeout in the first period. When the video was over, Foligno took to the ice to wave to the cheering crowd.
“I think it's always nice when a former player, but not only a former player, a captain comes back to their old team and gets a reception like that,” Wild coach John Hynes said. “So I thought it was well done by the Blackhawks, the fans, and really good for Nick.”
The March 6 trade put Foligno on the same team as his younger brother, Marcus, and provided an opportunity to chase a long playoff run in his 19th NHL season. But leaving Chicago — after playing an instrumental role in the development of Connor Bedard and some of the team's young players — was difficult for him.
“As hard as maybe a couple parts of the seasons were, I love my time here and absolutely cherish being in the leadership role that I was but also just with a group of guys and then staff and playing for this organization,” Foligno said Tuesday. “It's one of the premier organizations in the league and it was special to be able to be a part of it.”
Foligno had dinner with Bedard and some of the Blackhawks on Monday night.
“Obviously it's such a rush when you get traded, especially on a game day. You're trying to stay out of their way,” Foligno said. “So it's nice to say goodbye in a way. Just catch up and see how things have been. I've obviously made it known how much I care about this group, so it was nice to see those guys.”
Foligno was acquired by Chicago in a June 2023 trade with Boston. He became the 35th captain in franchise history in September 2024.
Foligno had 35 goals and 48 assists in 189 games with Chicago, and the Blackhawks finished in last place in the Central Division in each of his two full seasons with the Original Six franchise. But Foligno served as a valuable, stabilizing resource as the team's top prospects began to break into the NHL.
“He was great with all of us,” Bedard said. “Him and all our older guys were really patient and good with us. So we’re very grateful for that. Obviously he was the leader of that, so there’s a lot of stuff we can thank him for. It’s an exciting opportunity for him to be with his brother and contending, but yeah, definitely a lot of good memories.”
Marcus Foligno, 34, is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, so the brothers haven't been able to play alongside each other since the trade. But Nick Foligno has made a smooth transition to life with Minnesota, collecting one assist in six games with his new team.
“He's come in, he's played some good hockey for us,” Hynes said. “I think he fits in well with the guys obviously with his personality and I think his experiences. So he's been a great addition for us.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Minnesota Wild left wing Nick Foligno (71) raises his hand as the Chicago Blackhawks honor him, as he was a former member of their team, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March, 17, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman, middle right, celebrates with left wing Nick Foligno (71) after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
