The calendar flipped to 2025 and the New York Islanders are set to host the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena on Thursday night.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the Islanders’ struggles this season, but the star players’ struggles is a big reason for their poor play.

The New York Islanders headed into the 2024-25 season with a roster similar to the one from the season prior, yet the team’s play has regressed. They are quickly falling out of the playoff race, and hope among fans is beginning to fade.

New York Islanders prospect Danny Nelson has been one of Team USA's top forwards at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. Through their five preliminary games, going 4-1-0, the Notre Dame forward scored three goals with one assist.

The New York Rangers are not the only team in disarray from the Metro area in the rumor mill. Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders are also sliding and continue to have names circulate in trade rumors.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have scored a goal on the man advantage in six of their last nine games, including Tuesday afternoon against this lowly Isles PK. Mitch Marner factored into that goal and has cashed on his power-play points prop in five of his last nine games.

Prediction for the NHL match which will take place on January 3. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

The New York Islanders currently sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division and have won just 14 of 38 games to begin the 2024-25 season.

This Islanders team has run its course. It's time for New York to act like it heading into a crucial trade deadline and offseason.

David Kampf, Steven Lorentz and John Tavares scored as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Islanders 3-1 on Tuesday to move into a tie with idle Florida for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

The defending champion United States will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the world junior hockey championship. What to know about the game: