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TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander had two goals and two assists as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the slumping New York Islanders 5-2 on Monday night.

John Tavares had a goal and an assist, Calle Jarnkrok and Auston Matthews also scored and Justin Holl had two assists for Toronto, which is 3-0-1 in its last four and 6-2-1 in its last nine. Ilya Samsonov had 31 saves.

Anders Lee scored twice for New York in its ninth loss in 10 games (1-6-3). Ilya Sorokin had 33 saves.

Trailing 2-1 in the second period, Toronto it on a power play at 7:53 when Samsonov caught the Islanders on a long change with a stretch pass. Nylander quickly fed Tavares, who moved in alone and backhanded his 21st goal of the season upstairs against his former team.

The Leafs, who lost 3-2 in overtime to the Islanders here on Nov. 21, then took their first lead 1:40 later when Nylander used a delicate flip pass to send Jarnkrok in alone to score his 11th.

Sorokin stopped Michael Bunting’s penalty shot later in the period, but Nylander buried his second of the night and 26th overall with 3:28 left in the middle period after stealing the puck from Scott Mayfield in the offensive zone.

Matthews sealed the win with his 25th at 7:44 of the third on a breakaway off a pass from Holl.

New York opened the scoring with 22.2 seconds left in the first when Lee swatted home a loose puck in the crease for his 16th after Brock Nelson’s shot glanced off Samsonov’s shoulder and hit the post.

The Toronto goaltender was sharp on a number of chances earlier in the period, including a terrific blocker stop at full stretch on Casey Cizikas.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe tweaked his top-6 forward group during the first intermission, reuniting Tavares and Nylander, and slotting Mitch Marner alongside Matthews.

Toronto tied it at 5:07 of the second when Nylander scored off the rush after a nice play from Tavares.

Lee put New York back ahead 1:10 later on a one-timer that fooled Samsonov for his 17th.

SAMSONOV ON A RUN

Samsonov made his third straight start and fourth straight appearance. Samsonov came in 14-4-2 record and a .919 save percentage, while Matt Murray was 11-5-0 with a .911 save percentage as part of Toronto’s goaltending tandem.

BRODIE NEARING RETURN

Maple Leafs D T.J. Brodie took part in his first on-ice session with teammates since suffering a rib injury earlier this month. Keefe said the defenseman won’t be available until at least Friday when Toronto hosts Ottawa. Brodie has been limited to just 28 games in 2022-23 after also suffering an oblique injury in the fall.

DEBUTS AND RETURNS

New York D Samuel Bolduc made his NHL debut. The 22-year-old from Quebec had eight goals and 26 points in 40 AHL games this season. ... Also, Islanders F Kyle Palmieri and D Adam Pelech returned to the lineup after long injury absences.

UP NEXT

Islanders: At Ottawa on Wednesday night to wrap up a two-game trip.

Maple Leafs: Host the New York Rangers on Wednesday night in the second of a five-game trip.

___

AP NHL: www.apnews.com/hub/NHL and www.twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Rasmus Dahlin is well aware that only five of the 44 skaters selected for the upcoming All-Star Game in Florida are defensemen.

"I guess the fans want to see forwards," the Buffalo Sabres blue-liner told Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News on Monday. "It is what it is. I'm going on vacation and I'm going to have a good time, but, obviously, I want to be there. That's just how it goes."

Dahlin ranks second in scoring among NHL defensemen with 52 points, but he was not named to the Atlantic Division's All-Star roster. Tage Thompson was Buffalo's representative on the initial roster, while Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Boston Bruins sniper David Pastrnak earned spots through the NHL All-Star Fan Vote.

All nine skaters on the Atlantic Division's roster are forwards.

Though he'd prefer to participate in the All-Star festivities, Dahlin plans to enjoy a break from his 26:10 of average ice time.

"The rest is well-needed for sure," the 22-year-old said. "A few of us are going to have a good time - mental break and also a physical break. So I'm excited for that, too. Some days, you've got to take your day off if you have to, but I think the body gets used to it."

Dahlin earned the first All-Star nod of his young career last season. He's looking forward to watching Thompson - who's tied for third in the league with 32 goals - put on a show as the Sabres' representative this time around.

"People want to see his skill and what he's good at," Dahlin said. "So I'm super excited for him. I'm going to watch. I want him to do something sick out there and have a blast. I'm sure he's going to do it a few times more in his career, but enjoy this moment, for sure."

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Johnny Gaudreau says he understands if Calgary Flames fans are upset about his departure ahead of his first game back in the city with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.

"Sports is awesome," Gaudreau told NHL.com's Craig Merz on Friday. "It brings people together, and I got to play there for 10 years, nine years, and I had some great memories, and they're probably a little upset that I'm not there anymore. I get it."

Even though the skilled winger isn't expecting a warm welcome, he's looking forward to suiting up at the Saddledome again.

"They love their team, and that's why I loved playing there so much, and I loved being part of that organization for 12, 13 years," he said. "It's going to be fun going back."

Gaudreau's current teammates had some fun with him at Monday's morning skate, perhaps preparing him for what's to come in the evening.

Gaudreau stunned the hockey world when he signed with the Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent in July. His departure wasn't necessarily shocking, as many expected him to land with either his hometown Philadelphia Flyers, the New Jersey Devils, or the New York Islanders. But Flames fans can be forgiven if they still feel a little bitter about Gaudreau's exit.

The American played eight seasons with the Flames after debuting with the club for a single contest in 2013-14. Gaudreau ranks fifth in assists and points, as well as ninth in goals in franchise history. Last season, the 29-year-old set career highs in goals (40), assists (75), and points to finish fourth in Hart Trophy voting for the second time.

Gaudreau said in December his intent during free agency wasn't to string the Flames along. A few weeks earlier, he mentioned he didn't regret his decision to join the Jackets, noting he wouldn't change it "for the world."

The Blue Jackets have disappointed this season, entering Monday sitting last in the NHL at 14-30-2. Gaudreau isn't producing at last season's elite clip, but he's posting nearly a point per game with 44 in 46 contests. The dynamic forward has scored 12 of his 13 goals in 2022-23 at even strength.

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Josh Norris' return was short-lived, as the Ottawa Senators forward will have shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the season, the club announced Monday.

The same injury forced him out for 38 games earlier this campaign. Norris played three contests after re-entering the lineup last week, scoring the Senators' lone goal in a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday.

The 23-year-old tallied two markers and added an assist over eight games in 2022-23. He notched 35 goals and 20 helpers over 66 contests last season.

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Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford was apologetic to Bruce Boudreau during Sunday's press conference introducing Rick Tocchet as head coach but insisted criticism for the team's handling of the situation has been "overplayed."

"I will apologize to Bruce for this: Probably, in my interviews over the course of the season, when people ask me a question, I'm probably too direct and too honest. ... Sometimes that affects certain people. And in this case, it probably did affect him," Rutherford said, per Sportsnet.

"I'm sorry I did that, and I've learned from it. So I've decided that I need to zip it. I'm not going to talk about the team; I'm going to let Patrik (Allvin, Vancouver's GM) and Rick Tocchet talk about the team."

There was significant speculation over Boudreau's future leading up to Sunday's firing. Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Cogliano criticized the Canucks' treatment of Boudreau, while Vancouver defenseman Tyler Myers admitted the conjecture was impacting the team.

After apologizing, Rutherford maintained the Canucks' search for a new coach was typical.

"It's not any different than most situations in professional sports, where a team is not winning as much as people would like, and there's speculation that there's gonna be changes," Rutherford said. "If you go back to the last time there was a coaching change here, there was speculation about it. And the owner was talking to Bruce about coming here before there was a change made. So, there's not a whole lot different other than what I've apologized for."

Rutherford added, "I have had several calls - and I know a lot more than you do - from people that feel that this was really overplayed by everybody."

Tocchet will debut as Vancouver's head coach when the Canucks face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

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