Islander captain Mike Peca returns to the scene of the Toronto crime tonight.

For the first time since Darcy Tucker wrecked Peca’s knee April 26 in Game 5 of the playoffs, Peca will face the Leafs in the Hanger. Peca had his first rematch with Tucker at Nassau in a 4-2 Islander victory Dec. 6.

Unbeaten in five, the Isles will be seeking to extend their three-game road (2-0-1) unbeaten streak. Garth Snow has been the spark in this spurt, now 7-3-2 since Chris Osgood went out of the lineup, owning a 1.74 goals-against in the five-game unbeaten streak.

The Isles yesterday sent down D Sven Butenschon, replacing him with Alain Nasreddine.