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Toronto Maple Leafs: Detailed Post-Game vs Flyers

By James Tanner

Mar 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) is greeted by forwards Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (29) after scoring against Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) is greeted by forwards Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (29) after scoring against Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last night the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Philedelphia Flyers 4-2.

Things got intense, as they are wont to do when the Leafs have a third period lead, but they held out.  Nazem Kadri added an empty-net goal and the Toronto Maple Leafs have now won two games in a row.

Scoreboard Watching

It was a great night for things the Leafs could control – but not so good on the out-of-town board.  The Senators beat the Coyotes in overtime.  The Islanders beat the Canucks in overtime as well.   The Leafs finished where they started: one point out of the final Wild-Card spot.

Considering that in the NHL overtime is basically a coin-flip, you can view the Leafs as insanely unlucky here.  Not only do they lead the NHL in over-time points lost, but they can’t buy a break with the teams they’re competing against in the Playoff Race.

Don’t believe me the Leafs are unlucky? Here are the over-time/ shoot-out records from the teams they’re competing with for the Playoffs (Sportingcharts.com)

Montreal 11-8

Ottawa    8- 6

Boston  6-6

Florida 11-11

Islanders 5-11

Flyers 12-8

As you can see, only the Islanders have had the bad luck of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  The Leafs record in post-regulation games is 6-14.  Given what we know about over-time, there is no reason to think that any of these teams are better than the Leafs, and with 20% of the schedule to go, there is reason to be optimistic and believe this will balance out the rest of the way.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Flyers

The Leafs won, but it was a nail biter that could have gone either way. I thought Andersen was outstanding, again.  The possession game was practically even, though the Flyers did end up with more of their shots on net.

Zaitsev led the Leafs in 5v5 ice-time, with Gardiner getting just seconds less.

The fourth line, led by Brian Boyle was fantastic.  Boyle his crew put up a 70%+ possession rating and were buzzing all night. I am a huge fan of the pick-up, and it really makes a difference.  Boyle is just light-years ahead of what Smith or Froese or Gauthier was able to bring to the team.

Yeah, these guys are only playing nine minutes a game, but when it’s nine minutes of 70% hockey, that’s a huge lift for a team.

The recently maligned Morgan Rielly had a great night too, being on the ice for seven more shot-attempts for than against, and picking up an assist.

Despite picking up two points, the Marner and Bozak combo was the Leafs worst, possession wise, and, I hate to admit it, but my boy Jake Gardiner didn’t have the best game.

Still, a win is a win and this was an entertaining one.  (Stats corsica.hockey).

Up Next

Last week the Leafs didn’t play Saturday, which was really weird.  This week there are no worries because everything is somewhat back to normal.  I say somewhat because usually there is a marquee matchup for TV on Saturday night, and this week we get the Carolina Hurricanes.

While it lacks the excitement of basically any other possible opponent, at least in  Playoff Race all games are fun.

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