Toronto Maple Leafs Power-Play Finally Breaks Out

Didn’t the Toronto Maple Leafs know that panthers are an endangered species?

For a second straight game, the offense of the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to have some fun at the expense of their opponent. The Maple Leafs’ 6-1 win over the Florida Panthers may be dismissed by some considering the Panthers’ place in the standings right now, but scoring 13 goals in two games, no matter the team, is an impressive feat.

The Maple Leafs are 10-5-1 at Scotiabank Arena and are now 23-10-2 for the season. For reference, through 35 games last year the Leafs were 21-13-1, not a big difference but hey, two more wins is two more wins.

The major story coming out of last night’s win was that the Toronto Maple Leafs power play had finally been found.

Welcome Back Power Play!

The Toronto Maple Leafs had not converted on 11 straight man-advantages heading into the game last night, that would not be the case by the final horn.

The Leafs went three for three on the power play, pulling off some Harlem Globetrotters (On Ice) looking passing plays to help them take advantage of those opportunities, terrorizing Roberto Luongo until he was pulled after allowing five goals.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares all recorded a goal during the 5-on-4 chances. For Matthews is was his 25th career power play goal, to go along with his other goal he would score early in the second period. He now has 19 goals on the year, putting him in second on the team behind Tavares’ 23 goals.

Elsewhere Tavares recorded two goals, putting him at 295 in his career and bringing his season point total to 38. But the story of the season continues to be Marner, who had a three-point outing to bring his total this year to 47 in just 35 games. Marner’s point totals in his first two seasons were 61 and 67, which shows just what playing on a line with Tavares can do for your career. He’s going to score 50 points in less than 40 games, barring a huge drop off, and will hopefully be paid accordingly when negotiations for his contract roll around.

Let’s Talk About the Defence

Now the members of the Maple Leafs’ defence are easily the most criticized players on the team. Some of the complaints are fair, they puck watch a little too much and pinch at less than opportune times. But they have been doing something different this year, because the Leafs are fourth in the NHL in goals allowed with 97. Now part of this is no doubt because of Frederick Andersen’s spectacular play in net, but there comes a point where you need to tip your hat to a team’s defenders.

Last night was a great example, keeping the Panthers to just 26 shots and making it a fairly easy night for Andersen in the crease. Heck even Martin Marincin had himself a fine game (Assist, four shots,19:04 minutes). If the d-men can continue to put together solid performances like this, Andersen may not be too burned out by the time the playoffs roll around.

Rielly For the Norris

But it is now time to talk about Morgan Rielly, because when a defenseman puts together a four point game, he needs to be talked about.

Yes Rielly had a four point night (All of them assists), pushing him to 40 points this season. That’s now two consecutive seasons with 40-plus points and puts him in first among defensemen in scoring, four ahead of Thomas Chabot.

It’s not just the scoresheet where Rielly is throwing his hat into the Norris Trophy conversation, his play on the ice is smart and calculated, making him dangerous on both sides of the ice. Rielly is a premier defenseman in the league and this could be the year when he wins his first piece of individual hardware in his career.

Start Spreading the News: New York is Coming to Town

With one home win down, the Toronto Maple Leafs will continue their play at Scotiabank Arena on Hockey Night in Canada this Saturday night as they take on the New York Rangers.