It is perhaps an overly simplistic summary, but Artur Akhtyamov is the only player who showed up for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Akhtyamov made his first NHL start and was thrown into the fire, making 39 stops in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders.

Akhtyamov and Luke Haymes took their rookie laps in good humour. William Villeneuve was widely expected to make his NHL debut, but Craig Berube inexplicably elected to keep Philippe Myers in the lineup over the 24-year-old defender.

Without further ado, here are three takeaways from a lopsided Maple Leafs’ loss to the Islanders: 

Artur Akhtyamov was completely hung out to dry by his team, during his first NHL start. Toronto completely surrendered from the outset of the game. New York held a 9-0 shot advantage, while leading 2-0 before Toronto scored on its first shot of the game, as Steven Lorentz beat Ilya Sorokin from a terrible angle. It wasn’t a historically awful first period for the Maple Leafs, but it was within striking range.

New York converted on second and third-chance opportunities throughout the contest, as Toronto failed to defend its net-front with any ferocity whatsoever. Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s first-period marker is a prime example, as Simon Benoit, Troy Stecher, Max Domi and Matthew Knies all stood idly by.

Akhtyamov made a terrific save in the third period, robbing Brayden Schenn on the doorstep. The only problem was that the Maple Leafs couldn’t clear the zone, and Calum Ritchie slammed the puck home moments later. It was a constant onslaught and Akhtyamov ought to be fuming, after his teammates provided him with zero support during his first career start. He is the only Leafs player to receive a passing grade in this space.

Luke Haymes was one of the few Maple Leafs skaters who was engaged throughout the night. Haymes ought to have been called up weeks ago from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, but he finally received a well-deserved look. Although he didn’t receive an assist on the play, Haymes established a strong forecheck which led to Steven Lorentz’s first-period goal.

Haymes continued to fight throughout the game, as the Islanders dominated possession and the shot count. During the third period, with the result in the balance, Haymes generated a secondary assist on Morgan Rielly’s goal, gaining his first NHL point. Although the Maple Leafs will certainly want to burn the tape, if they’re viewing film at all at this juncture in the year, it was a nice moment for Haymes and his family, who were in attendance on Thursday.

William Villeneuve didn’t receive the same opportunity as his Marlies teammates. Villeneuve was inexplicably listed as a healthy scratch, with Craig Berube electing to keep Simon Benoit, Troy Stecher and Philippe Myers in the lineup. Myers was on the ice for both of New York’s first two goals, sharing blame with Rielly and Benoit, respectively. At this point, Berube knows what he has with his veterans. It’s almost malpractice to keep Villeneuve out of the lineup in favour of Myers, who has been sub-replacement level this season.

We’ll see if Villeneuve makes his long-awaited NHL debut against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, a team that has wisely elected to shut down several veterans with nothing to play for.

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