Debut goal as Leafs shut out Islanders

Defenseman Justin Holl walked into Air Canada Centre a couple of hours before Wednesday night’s game, with his minor-league equipment bag and a bundle of sticks in his hands. He had expected to have the day off, but was glad he did not.

Holl scored in his NHL debut and Travis Dermott got his first goal in his ninth career game, leading the host Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders.

“It’s almost surreal,” Holl said. “You’re like, ‘Wait, did that really happen?’ And you’re like, ‘Nice, it did.’ ”

Holl, 26, joined the Toronto organization on a minor-league contract for the 2015-16 season before earning a two-way deal last season. He played in 239 minor-league games before suiting up against New York.

“I have confidence in my abilities; sometimes you have to work a little harder for the things you want,” said Holl, who was selected by Chicago in the second round of the 2010 draft. “You have faith it’s all gonna turn out all right.”

Toronto’s Frederik Andersen made 28 saves for his fourth shutout of the season.

Capitals 5, Flyers 3: Chandler Stephenson, Andre Burakovsky and T.J. Oshie ended lengthy goal droughts to help host Washington rally past Philadelphia.

Stephenson scored twice after going without a goal for 28 games, Burakovsky scored on the power play after coming up empty for 10 games and Oshie scored on the power-play to end a 13-game dry spell.

Briefly: Center Mike Fisher, who had 18 goals as Nashville’s captain last season, announced he is coming out of retirement to rejoin the Predators. Fisher, 37, had retired in August . ... Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, who missed 17 games with a foot injury, was activated from injured reserve . ... Islanders forward Andrew Ladd, who missed nine games with an upper-body injury, was activated from IR . ... Devils forward Taylor Hall has been fined $5,000 for a boarding penalty against the Sabres’ Kyle Okposo on Tuesday.