EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

*--* New York Islanders (42-28-8-4, 5th) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (43-25-10-4, 4th) Schedule: Thu., Sat., Tues., April 24, 26*, 28*, 30* (*-if necessary, best of seven) Season series: New York, 3-1 Series preview: New York’s Alexei Yashin will have a chance to break out of his playoff slump against a team that has made his life miserable in the past. When Yashin played for Ottawa, he struggled in playoff losses against Toronto and forward Shayne Corson. The Islanders need Mark Parrish and Michael Peca to step up on offense to help Yashin. The series may come down to which goaltender plays the best. Toronto’s Curtis Joseph may be a little rusty after missing nearly two months because of injury. New York’s Chris Osgood will be tested by the Maple Leafs’ Mats Sundin and Alexander Mogilny Late-season acquisitions: NYI--Defenseman Darren Van Impe; Tor--Goaltender Tom Barrasso Key injuries: None Goaltenders’ postseason records: NYI--Chris Osgood (38-25); Tor--Curtis Joseph (48-48) Coaches’ postseason records: NYI--Peter Laviolette (0-0); Tor--Pat Quinn (143-75-68) Fast facts: The Islanders enter the playoffs having given up more goals than any other playoff team. After winning only 21 games last season, New York won 21 home and 21 road games this season. Toronto got 48 goals from their defensemen, the most in the NHL this season MATCHUPS NYI TOR Goals 239 (6) 249 (3) Goals against 220 (21) 207 (12) Power play 16.2 (11) 15.4 (14) Penalty killing 85.6 (11) 84.5 (16) Save percentage 904 (13) 899 (24) Goals-against avg 2.65 (21) 2.49 (12) Penalty minutes 1,255 (11) 1,212 (18) Power-play goals 59 (8) 54 (18) Short-handed goals 17 (1) 9 (8) Players w/Cup titles 2 3 10+ goal scorers 11 11 Prediction: Toronto in seven

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