The Toronto Maple Leafs lost last night.
But tell me friends, when is a door not a door? When is a loss not a loss?
When it’s a jar? Or when you outplay the reigning champs in the best game you’ve played this year so far?
I’ll take all of the above for $6400.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs St Louis Blues
The Leafs possessed the puck for 63% of the time, which is very, very high. Such a high Corsi is nearly a guaranteed win, but alas, playing in his hometown, St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington was unquestionably the star of the game.
In addition to having the puck for most of the night, the Leafs dominated in the high-danger scoring chance area, taking 85% of them. (All stats naturalstattrick.com).
To play this kind of game, despite playing for the fourth time in six days, against what is arguably the league’s best team, is quite amazing.
It’s a long season, and you can’t be tricked by results. Say John Tavares scored on one of his breakaways on Saturday night against the Montreal, that would have given the Leafs a victory, but it wouldn’t have changed the fact that they played terribly against an inferior opponent.
They might not have taken any points out of last night’s game, but it was the kind of game you’ll almost always win – and if they play like that with regularity, they will win. A lot.
I mean, consider the fact that Tavares, Marner and Matthews weren’t even at their best, and it’s almost scary to think what this team can accomplish.
The best player on the ice last night was none other than non-nonsensical pariah William Nylander. He scored his second goal of the season, was noticeable the entire night, and now has four points in four games, while leading the Leafs regulars in 5v5 p/60 an points.
Nylander is also posting a super-elite 59% CF so far this season. He also leads ALL NHL PLAYERS who have played at least 50 minutes of 5v5 ice-time with a 3.57 points/60.
The Toronto Maple Leafs played their best game of the season last night, and it was their first game against a grade A opponent.
Also of note: Rasmus Sandin played over 15 minutes for the first time, and he looked great. The Leafs blue-line is in great hands, and I’ll guarantee you that Sandin won’t be sent down. It’s clear that Babock would rather not play either Justin Holl or Martin Marincin, so once Travis Dermott comes back, expect Sandin and Dermott to make the best third pairing in hockey.
And that includes the fact that the Blues third pairing is Vince Dunn and Justin Faulk.
Go Leafs!