The Toronto Maple Leafs completed a nerve-wracking Saturday with a close win over the Minnesota Wild
The euphoria of a tight but ultimately happy ending to the William Nylander saga was still on everyone’s mind while the Toronto Maple Leafs were preparing for their game against the Minnesota Wild.
The wink Auston Matthews gave TSN reporter Kyle Bukauskas when asked if he had spoken to William Nylander said it all – a weight lifted off the shoulders of the Toronto Maple Leafs, while others probably gained the opposite feeling.
The signing of William Nylander surely sealed the fate of Frederik Gauthier but will also mean another bottom six forward will lose his spot on the roster. In the win over the Wild last night, there was one player who made a solid bid for a roster spot, Tyler Ennis.
Tyler Ennis
Truth to be told, everyone was rooting for Tyler Ennis, right? Scoring against your former team who dumped you after a slow year. You could just see happiness and pure relief after the puck passed Dubnyk off a reflection.
Like most Leafs, Ennis had a difficult night in Minnesota. However, his goal came at the most opportune moment for him. It solidified his bid for a permanent spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster for the rest of the season.
Likely either Leivo or Ennis will have to make room to insert William Nylander in the line-up. Honestly, as much as I like Josh Leivo, I thin Tyler Ennis will get that last spot. Which will likely mean Josh Leivo’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs will come to an end.
Which is no shame when a team has so much depth on the wing as the Toronto Maple Leafs have.
Specialty Teams Flawless
In a game that should be forgotten rather sooner than later, there was one stat that rather caught my attention. Both special team units registered a perfect score on the night, 100%. The Minnesota Wilds kept the Toronto Maple Leafs to only one chance on the power play, they capitalized nonetheless.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had to go on the penalty kill 3 times, but executed the penalty kill nearly perfect, only allowing 2 shots against with the one-man disadvantage. Heck, the Toronto Maple Leafs post better statistics on shots on the 5v4 (60% SF) PK compared to 5v5 (33,33%).
Especially strong on the penalty kill was Travis Dermott with Kasperi Kapanen. Not allowing a single shot on Andersen during the one-man disadvantage. Dermott even stole away a 100% scoring chance away from Staal in front of the net with an excellent stick.
Thanks for reading! Please share your thoughts on the game and who do you think will lose his spot to William Nylander?