Another blow lead results in another blown loss as the Toronto Maple Leafs fall 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Coming off their bye week hasn’t helped Toronto as they’ve blown two leads leading to overtime losses. Their offensive appears nonexistent as they scored only one goal against St. Louis, and in Philadelphia, they managed two. The days of being an offensive juggernaut seem to be gone as the team wants to play a more “playoff style” way; however, this transition appears to have come with frustration.
Nonetheless, here’s the breakdown of Toronto’s 3-2 loss to Philadelphia.
First Period
After an hour delay, it showed that both teams were itching to get onto the ice. Both sides were exchanging scoring chances but were denied by Michal Neuvirth and Frederik Andersen respectively. Toronto controlled the majority of the puck during the first with a Corsi-For of 62%.
Toronto may have controlled the puck, but it was Philadelphia that would generate the most scoring chances in the first period with 10. Furthermore, towards the end, Philadelphia made their push for the games first goal on the power play, but the Toronto Maple Leafs would bend but not break on the penalty kill.
With all the scoring chances along with the back and forth pace, both teams couldn’t break through in the first.
#Leafs with more goals this season than Connor Brown (12): Auston Matthews (19), James van Riemsdyk (19), Patrick Marleau (15), Nazem Kadri (14).
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 19, 2018
10 of Brown's goals have been at EV. The only TOR regular who has averaged less EV ice time than Brown this season is Matt Martin.
Second Period
Philadelphia would control the puck in the second with a 51% CF, but in the second Toronto would have more of the scoring chances with 10. As a result, they were finally able to break through with a breakaway goal from Connor Brown.
The scoring didn’t stop there, after a demotion to the fourth line, William Nylander would help in Toronto’s second goal. Carrying the puck into the offensive zone and drop pass it to Jake Gardiner. After Gardiner fired a shot towards the net, Frederik Gauthier would gather the loose puck to put it past Michal Neuvirth.
With two consecutive goals, Toronto was flying high until a scary scene that saw Morgan Rielly wincing in pain. With Nikita Zaitsev out, they couldn’t afford to lose Rielly for any significant period.
Third Period
Toronto fans exhaled a sigh of relief after Rielly came out for the third period; however, they will see frustration soon enough later in the third because a recent problem would rear its ugly head again.
In the third period, Philadelphia would continue to control the puck, averaging a 59% Corsi-For. Their possession resulted in two goals further damaging the psyche of Toronto. Nursing leads late in games have become a challenge recently, and in Philadephia, the story remains the same as they gave up their two-goal lead.
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After having a defensive misfire against St. Louis, Mitch Marner found himself yet again in the middle of an opponent’s goal. Nolan Patrick would pickpocket the puck from Marner to put Philadelphia on the score sheet. They would get the equalizer from Wayne Simmonds on a short-handed opportunity as the Toronto Maple Leafs blew another lead.
With both teams unable to get the game-winner in regulation, Toronto would head to another over time, again.
Overtime
Another lead was given up, and another overtime loss for Toronto as Philadelphia would transition from a failed Matthews shot-attempt and Sean Couturier would net the game-winner.
Frederik Andersen with strong words after the #leafs fourth straight loss: “We have to figure out who wants to play for the team.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 19, 2018
Three stars of the game
Brown looks to have found his groove in scoring back-to-back games which is only a good thing for Toronto. During the game, Brown saw a reward by playing on Matthews line which came at Nylander’s cost. Nonetheless, Brown should see more ice-time away from the fourth-line.
Andersen has kept Toronto in games, and it was no different in Philadelphia. In the first and second period, he saw a flurry of shots but kept a clean score sheet. Furthermore, he had some leader-like comments after the loss.
When the telecast doesn’t mention you as often, it’s always a good thing. Thus the final star goes to Connor Carrick who had a CF% of 63 while playing over 17 minutes. Carricks’ solid play should keep in the lineup, but with Mike Babcock’s rotations, it will remain a mystery if he will see the ice Saturday.
Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: Pleasant Surprise Roundtable
The Toronto Maple Leafs will conclude their road trip in Ottawa as they prepare for the next installment in the Battle of Ontario. See you Saturday.