UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) – Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala sat out against the Islanders on Wednesday night because of tightness in his groin, and New York counterpart Rick DiPietro left the game due to a knee injury.
Toskala practiced with his teammates Wednesday morning, shortly after the team’s post-Christmas flight to New York, but was the first Toronto player off the ice. He isn’t expected to play Thursday at Philadelphia, either, when the Maple Leafs complete a club-record tying seven-game road trip.
DiPietro made the start for New York, but lasted only one period. He didn’t come out of the dressing room after the first intermission because of an undisclosed knee injury. The Islanders said the franchise goalie wouldn’t return and would be re-evaluated on Thursday.
DiPietro allowed two goals on nine shots in his brief action, and left with the Islanders leading 3-2.
Wade Dubielewicz, who gave up eight goals on 42 shots in New York’s 8-1 loss at Toronto on Oct. 11, came on in relief.
Toskala had played in 16 straight games, including 12 consecutive starts after Toronto was outscored 8-2 in back-to-back consecutive road losses to Dallas and Phoenix on Nov. 23-24.
Andrew Raycroft allowed two goals on seven shots in the opening 8:24 against Phoenix and hadn’t played since. He got the start Wednesday night and was touched for three goals on 14 shots in the first period.
The Islanders hadn’t scored as many as two goals in a first period since they had three on opening night in Buffalo on Oct. 5.
Scott Clemmensen, best known for his time as Martin Brodeur’s backup in New Jersey, was recalled from AHL Toronto.
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