Toronto (23-26-12) at NY Islanders (18-36-6), 7:00 p.m. EST

UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs may not

be in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but that

has not stopped Vesa Toskala from performing at a high level.

Toskala and the Maple Leafs begin a brief two-game road trip

Thursday, when they visit the lowly New York Islanders.

Riding a hot streak, Toskala stopped 31 shots and turned aside

all three attempts in Wednesday's 2-1 shootout win over the New

York Rangers, improving his record to 6-0-4 since January 19.

The 31-year-old Finn also shined in Sunday's 2-1 overtime

victory over the Rangers, making 29 saves.

Despite recent success, Toskala may be forced to undergo surgery

to repair groin and hip injuries that have nagged him all

season, according to the Toronto Star.

The Islanders, who are 1-19-1 in their last 21 road games since

November 22, begin a six-game homestand.

New York, which is coming off a 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh

Penguins on Wednesday, has scored more than three goals in a

game once since January 29.