Easton Cowan scored his first goal of the 2026-27 regular season as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Islanders 2-0 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The 21-year-old forward also collected an assist, helping Toronto rebound from its 3-2 opening-night loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
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Easton Cowan delivers two-point performance
Cowan opened the scoring at 11:55 of the first period with a power-play wrist shot assisted by Morgan Rielly and Jack Roslovic.
The goal came after Toronto generated pressure with the man advantage and gave Cowan his first regular-season goal since the 2025-26 campaign.
Colton Sissons doubled the lead at 7:14 of the second period, tipping a Nick Paul shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
Cowan was credited with the secondary assist on Sissons’ goal, giving him two points in Toronto’s second game of the season.
Maple Leafs bounce back after opening loss
Toronto entered the game after losing 3-2 to Montreal in the regular-season opener on September 29.
Cowan had assisted on William Nylander’s late third-period goal in that game, but the Maple Leafs could not complete the comeback.
His performance against New York gave Toronto an early boost as the club adjusted to its new coaching staff and several major roster changes.
The Maple Leafs entered the season with Jim Hiller behind the bench, while new additions included goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and forwards such as Gavin McKenna, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic and Colton Sissons.
Cowan’s expanded role in Toronto
Cowan finished his rookie NHL season in 2025-26 with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 66 games.
He was moved through different parts of the lineup during that season, but Toronto has indicated that his speed, defensive awareness and versatility will remain important this year.
During training camp and the preseason, Cowan was used on both the power play and penalty kill.
He began the regular season on a line with Paul and Sissons, a role that gives him opportunities to contribute at even strength while continuing to take on special-teams responsibilities.
His two-point performance against the Islanders also strengthened the case for a larger offensive role as the season develops.
What comes next for the Maple Leafs
The shutout improved Toronto’s early record to 1-1-0, while the Islanders began their season with a loss.
Toronto is scheduled to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, October 3.
Cowan will be expected to build on his early production as the Maple Leafs continue evaluating line combinations and special-teams units under Hiller.
For now, the result gave Toronto its first win of the season and provided Cowan with an early statement game in an important development year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points did Easton Cowan record against the Islanders?
Cowan recorded two points, scoring one goal and adding one assist in Toronto’s 2-0 win.
When did Easton Cowan score his goal?
Cowan scored at 11:55 of the first period on the power play.
What was the final score between the Maple Leafs and Islanders?
Toronto defeated New York 2-0 on September 30, 2026.
How many points did Easton Cowan have last season?
Cowan recorded 29 points, including 11 goals and 18 assists, in 66 games during the 2025-26 regular season.
Who do the Maple Leafs play next?
Toronto is scheduled to host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key game details, Cowan’s statistics and Toronto’s schedule were checked against NHL and team information available after the September 30, 2026 game.
Disclaimer: Game statistics and schedules may be updated by the NHL after publication.