TORONTO — This is not the way Kevin Poulin wanted to start his stint as the Islanders No. 1 goalie.
Poulin allowed five goals on 19 shots in the Islanders’ 5-2 loss to the Maple Leafs Tuesday night. The Islanders are expecting Poulin to carry the load in the absence of Evgeni Nabokov, who was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury.
Phil Kessel scored two goals for Toronto, which won its second in a row.
Trevor Smith, Mason Raymond and former Devil David Clarkson also scored for the Maple Leafs. Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves for the win.
Smith had a goal and two assists and Joffrey Lupul had three assists.
Casey Cizikas and Frans Nielsen scored for the Islanders.
Toronto opened the scoring just 22 seconds in the game.
Lupul carried the puck along the right side into the Islanders zone. As he was about to go around the net he sneaked a pass to the side of the net, catching Poulin moving the other way and Smith easily tapped the puck in.