Leafs goalie Akhtyamov a bright spot in loss to Islanders

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Welcome to your first National Hockey League start, Artur Akhtyamov.

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How nice it would have been for your Maple Leafs teammates to give you some support.

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That’s not how these 2025-26 Leafs, playing out the string, are going about things as the regular season concludes.

Akhtyamov, who made his NHL debut in a mop-up role in a game against Edmonton in December, faced 24 Islanders shots in the first period of what became a 5-3 New York victory.

When the final horn sounded on Thursday night at UBS Arena, shots on goal were 44-16 for New York.

It was a good result for those who hope the Leafs fall into the bottom five in the NHL standings to retain their 2026 first-round pick. Before late games on Thursday, they were in 27th overall with 78 points, three points ahead of the Seattle Kraken and New York Rangers.

Three games remain on the Leafs schedule, including the next two at home against Florida and Dallas on Saturday and Monday, respectively, before Toronto visits the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

There were some Leafs bright spots.

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Three takeaways:

AN AA FOR EFFORT

Give Akhtyamov much credit for staying focused and doing what he could to keep the Leafs in it. He had to handle three shots in the first minute of the game, an omen of what was to follow in Peter DeBoer’s first game behind the Islanders bench.

During the season with the Toronto Marlies, the 24-year-old has been praised for his competitive nature, and we saw it on display against the Islanders.

“It feels unbelievable,” Akhtyamov told media after the game. “My first game, I’m so excited, it’s a good experience for me. Every moment (was) my favourite. I (will) remember this game all my life.”

Akhtyamov’s confidence was clear as he faced shooters head-on time and again, and had there not been few bizarre bounces in front of him, he might have emerged with a better result on the scoreboard.

“I thought he really stood his ground and held us in there,” Leafs coach Craig Berube told media in New York. “He had a good game overall.”

Said defenceman Morgan Rielly: “I thought Artie was great. In the first we allowed too many shots but I thought he was outstanding and kept us in it. He has a good, positive attitude. Kudos to him on a great night.”

Yes, it was just one game, but think of the alternative: Akhtyamov could have been out of his element. Instead, he didn’t wilt in the barrage of shots in the first period, and kept his composure as the game progressed.

Importantly, Akhtyamov continued to put himself in the conversation in the Leafs’ goaltending in the bigger picture. There’s much to be decided regarding the Leafs goalies in the off-season, as coming out of training camp next September with all of Anthony Stolarz, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby would make little sense.

A good season in 2026-27 for Akhtyamov would be to get the majority of starts with the Marlies. If he pushes the envelope in camp, though, he won’t be far off from regular NHL work.

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HAYMES ON HAND

About all that was missing from forward Luke Haymes’ first NHL game was a W.

A goal would have been welcomed, too — Haymes hit the post behind Isles goalie Ilya Sorokin in the second period — but let’s recognize Haymes for the good things he did.

Not only did Haymes assist on a goal by Rielly in the third period, he survived his first night at the NHL circle, winning four of his 10 draws. Good hustle on the forecheck by Haymes helped lead to a goal by Steven Lorentz in the first period. And when Haymes was on the ice at five-on-five, the Leafs outshot the Islanders 5-3.

The 22-year-old’s family was in the stands to watch his NHL debut.

“I think I played well because I didn’t think a whole lot,” Haymes told media in New York. “Having a ton of family here … The warmup was pretty cool, going out (for his rookie lap) without a helmet.”

Like Akhtyamov, there was no evidence of nerves on Haymes’ part.

“He was good too,” Berube said of Haymes. “I was happy with his play. Handled himself well.”

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Haymes has 32 points (17 goals and 15 assists) in 64 games with the Marlies. He’s going to be a key cog for the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate once the Calder Cup playoffs start.

WHERE’S VILLENEUVE?

Along with Akhtyamov and Haymes, the Leafs also recalled defenceman William Villeneuve and forward Ryan Tverberg from the Marlies.

Villeneuve is overdue for his first NHL game and after the loss, Berube made it sound like the 24-year-old could play in one of the Leafs’ remaining games. There’s no reason why Villeneuve shouldn’t get a look.

Our view, and shared by many, is that sitting Villeneuve while dressing Troy Stecher, who is headed for unrestricted free agency, made no sense. Villeneuve took the pregame warmup, but that was the extent of his participation. Tverberg also took warmup.

Meanwhile, Berube said that Stolarz will have imaging done on his left leg on Friday to determine the extent of the injury suffered against Washington on Wednesday.

Forward Dakota Joshua (upper body) is doubtful to return this season, while defenceman Brandon Carlo (lower body) will be evaluated on Friday, Berube said.

Rielly skated in his 948th game with the Leafs, moving past Bob Pulford into seventh place on the franchise’s career games-played list.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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