Hockey fans, get ready for an intriguing Eastern Conference matchup tonight. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the Toronto Maple Leafs will head to Elmont, New York, to face off against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. With the regular season winding down and both teams dealing with recent struggles, this game could serve as a major turning point. Here is your complete guide on how to catch the action, betting odds, and what to expect on the ice.
TV Channel and Streaming Options for Leafs vs. Islanders
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:45 PM ET. Depending on where you are watching from, here are the television and streaming details:
- In the USA: The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+ and Hulu. If you are looking to stream the game south of the border, logging into your ESPN+ account will be your go-to option.
- In Canada: The game will be broadcast on TSN4 for viewers inside the Maple Leafs’ local broadcast region. If you are watching from outside the designated Toronto region, you can stream the game on Sportsnet+ Premium.
NHL Regional Blackouts Explained
If you are a newer hockey fan trying to tune in, NHL regional blackouts can be frustrating. Here is how they work: the league grants exclusive broadcast rights to specific regional networks (like TSN4 or MSG Networks). If you live inside the Toronto Maple Leafs’ geographical region in Canada, you must watch the game on TSN4; it will be blacked out on out-of-market packages like Sportsnet+ Standard. If you live outside the Leafs’ region (for example, in Alberta or Nova Scotia), you will need an out-of-market streaming package like Sportsnet+ Premium or NHL Centre Ice to bypass the blackout and watch the game.
Team Records, Leading Scorers, and Recent Results
The 2025-26 NHL season has been a bumpy ride for both franchises. The New York Islanders currently sit at 42-31-5 (89 points), firmly in the Metropolitan Division playoff hunt but reeling from a four-game losing streak. They most recently dropped a 4-3 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes on April 4. Their offense is being driven by playmaker Mathew Barzal, who leads the team with 70 points (51 assists), and sniper Bo Horvat, who has tallied a team-leading 30 goals.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a highly disappointing campaign, holding a 32-31-14 record (78 points) to sit near the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They are currently on a three-game skid, getting shut out 4-0 by the Washington Capitals just last night (April 8). William Nylander has been a bright spot with 72 points (46 assists) to lead the team, while John Tavares recently hit the 30-goal mark for the eighth time in his career.
Key Injuries to Watch
Injuries are playing a major role tonight. The Maple Leafs are banged up after last night’s game against Washington; both Dakota Joshua (upper body) and Brandon Carlo (lower body) exited the game early and are highly questionable for tonight. On the Islanders’ side, Jonathan Drouin remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury, and Alexander Romanov (shoulder) is still working his way back. However, the Isles could see the return of Tony DeAngelo, who is a game-time decision after resuming practice under newly hired head coach Peter DeBoer.
Betting Odds & Game Prediction
When looking at the betting lines for tonight’s matchup, the Islanders are heavy favorites at -270 on the moneyline, with the Over/Under set at 6.5 goals. Personally, I have a hard time backing the Maple Leafs in this spot. They are playing on the second half of a back-to-back, having just been shut out by the Capitals, and are dealing with fresh injuries to their lineup. I expect the Islanders, who are desperate to snap their four-game losing streak and impress their new coach, to come out flying on home ice. While -270 doesn’t offer great value on a straight bet, I love taking the Islanders on the puck line (-1.5) and leaning towards the Under 6.5, as Toronto’s offense has looked completely lifeless. Give me a 3-1 Islanders victory.
Finding the Toronto Maple Leafs on TV today is easy if you know your regional networks, but be sure to keep checking back with us for the rest of the New York Islanders TV schedule as the season concludes. If you want to see where Barzal and Nylander stack up against the rest of the league, check out our NHL point leaders 2025-26 season tracker. Finally, don’t forget to sign up for our online hockey pool for cash prizes on my website—it’s completely free to enter and the playoffs are right around the corner!
The post What Channel is the Maple Leafs vs. Islanders Game On? (April 9, 2026) appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
