The Toronto Maple Leafs played two thirds of a game last night, and that was all they needed.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forgot that NHL games are three periods long, but they did enough in two to wrap things up, and Freddie Andersen took care of the rest.
Up 4-2 after two periods, and dominating the possession game, the Leafs barely showed up for period number three, and were out-shot 20-9 while Buffalo did everything they could to tie it up.
Once again, Freddie Andersen saved the day.
While teams generally should play all three periods, the Leafs were really good in the first two, and hockey tends to go like that sometimes. Overall, I thought it was a really good game for the boys in Blue.
Leafs, Nylander, Dahlin and Other Thoughts
Morgan Rielly especially was awesome, scoring a goal and then catching up to one of the fastest players in the NHL, Jeff Skinner, and preventing him from getting a shot off on a clear-cut breakaway, without even taking a penalty.
I also thought Nic Petan was pretty good. I love the hair, and loved the goal. Really, the fourth line didn’t play too much, and they weren’t even that noticeable when they were on, but all in all, it was a stellar debut for Petan.
Once again, MIke Babcock does things that seem insane. How does Rielly play almost five minutes more than anyone else 5v5, and how do Nikita Zaitsev and Ron Hainsey end up with more minutes than Jake Muzzin?
(stats from naturalstattrick.com)
That’s like if the Oilers played Sam Gager more than Connor McDavid – it’s insane and it makes no sense and no one can figure it out.
Oh well.
What else?
After watching two games against the Sabres this week, I am impressed. They might not make the playoffs (it’s unlikely at this point) but they are going to be the Leafs main Eastern Conference rival for years to come. And not just geographically, I mean competitively.
The Sabres have Jack Eichel, Sam Reinheart, Casey Mittlestadt, Alex Nylander and best of all, Rasmus Dahlin. That guy is one of the best players in the NHL to watch, and it won’t be long before he’s the best defenseman in hockey.
Damn he’s good. And not for nothing, William Nylander walked him twice. Nylander continues his run as the best player on the team for what has to be 15 games now.
Last night, according to the Athletic, Nylander had five controlled zone entries, and seven controlled zone exits, both leading the team. The way he carries the puck into and out of zones is perhaps the best in the NHL. Last night he was dominant and hit the post or would have had at least one goal.
It’s a shame they were playing him with the two worst wingers on the team, otherwise he might also have got an assist or two. I can not wait to see Nylander re-united with Matthews. He makes a great centre, don’t get me wrong, but with Kadri in the fold, he also makes a great winger.
He and Matthews are magic and just wait until the Toronto Maple Leafs unleash that duo on unsuspecting teams. Again, he just flat-out walked one of the NHL’s best defenseman (18 or not, Dahlin is awesome) because he felt like it.
I love this guy.
Anyways, Toronto Maple Leafs win again! Fourth time in five games, too!
Next up, Calgary.