Islanders' Pierre Engvall makes dramatic return to Toronto
Islanders' Pierre Engvall (18) passes the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) defends during first-period NHL hockey game action in Toronto, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
TORONTO — Pierre Engvall wasn’t necessarily thinking about scoring in his first game back at Scotiabank Arena. Just the fact that he had scored.
His rebound goal at 17:58 of the third period proved to be the winner as the Islanders beat the Maple Leafs, 3-2, on Monday night.
Engvall had gone eight games without notching a point since his last goal on Jan. 2.
“It was a great feeling,” said Engvall, acquired from the Maple Leafs for a third-round pick on Feb. 28, 2023, before signing a seven-year, $21 million extension. “I haven’t scored for a while. It felt really good. Lately, I haven’t played as good as I want to.”
Engvall has six goals and nine assists in 44 games.
“I’m sure he was a bit nervous for tonight’s game,” coach Patrick Roy said. “But he played a really solid game. We talk a lot about going to the net and it’s exactly what he did.”
‘Special moment’
Rookie Kyle MacLean got a pat on the back from his father, Islanders assistant coach John MacLean, after notching his first NHL point. Roy said the elder MacLean did have a bigger reaction on the bench after Kyle MacLean’s breakaway goal made it 2-1 at 2:50 of the second period.
“It happened quick, but it’s cool to see it cross the goal line,” said Kyle MacLean, who played his sixth NHL game. “It’s a bit of a relief. It’s a special moment.”
Isles files
Center Bo Horvat logged 19:41 with three shots in his 700th NHL game . . . Defensemen Sebastian Aho and Samuel Bolduc were the healthy scratches . . . Center Casey Cizikas (long-term injured reserve/lower body) participated in the morning skate in an orange non-contact jersey . . . It was Benoit Desrosiers’ first game on the Islanders’ bench since Roy’s longtime assistant with Quebec (QMJHL) was hired for his first NHL job on Friday.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
