Toronto Maple Leafs: Matthews Wins It
The Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Detroit Red Wings thanks to a late third-period goal from Auston Matthews.
With 30 seconds left on the clock, Auston Matthews scored the game-winning goal of a William Nylander feed. Something us Toronto Maple Leafs fan never get tired of hearing. The victory in Detroit was hard-fought but deserved nonetheless.
The Toronto Maple Leafs controlled most of the play in terms of puck possession, they did, however, gave up a total of 12 high danger scoring chances, which is too much against a team like the Detroit Red Wings.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Interestingly enough, the Toronto Maple Leafs top defensive pairing consisting out of Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey, was possibly the worst on the ice yesterday. Together they were on the ice for 6 of the high danger scoring chances against. While controlling the play with control of the puck, they were horrible without it. Proving, that the Toronto Maple Leafs are still in need of that shut-down defenseman.
The line of Auston Matthews picked up where they left off against Pittsburgh. They dominated on the ice for almost every shift. I was happy to see Mike Babcock saw it as well and played Auston Matthews and William Nylander the most of his forwards (16:33 and 16:27). It eventually led to the play that won the Toronto Maple Leafs the game.
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Back-to-Back
Last nights games marked the tenth back-to-back series the Toronto Maple Leafs have played this season. So far the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up 27 points out of a possible 40 points in those back-to-back series. An improvement over last year, when the Leafs hit the ninth back-to-back in January, they picked up 22 points out of a possible 40.
The biggest improvement the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to have made is on the back-end of those series. Last year the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 7 of those 10 games, tallying just one point in that seven games that they picked up from a shout-out loss. This year they won 5 of those back-end games, adding an OT loss point to those points.
One of the reasons the Toronto Maple Leafs have improved so much in these series could be thanks to the outstanding performances from the back-up goaltender, Curtis McElhinney. Who was good against Detroit as well. But more important, the teams show they are growing into a more mature team that just finds a way to win games.
Homestand
Up next the Leafs will start a three-game homestand, facing, in order, the Florida Panthers, the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins. The Florida Panthers are still in contention for a wild-card spot. They trail the currently seeded Islanders for the second spot by 6 points, whilst holding 4 games in hand.
Next: Leafs Trade Deadline Philosophy
The match-up against Boston, which will conclude the regular-season series, will be a more interesting one for the Leafs. It will give them a chance to further close the gap between the teams and it remains a possible first-round matchup for the playoffs.