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Toronto Maple Leafs Fall Short In Game Five vs Montreal

By Ben Dackiw

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 29: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs stormed back from a 3-0 deficient, but fell in overtime to the Montreal Canadiens in game five of their first round series.

Well that wasn’t ideal. This isn’t going to be me saying that the house is on fire, I am going to try to be positive. However, much like the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first half of this game, I will start negatively.

Stupid turnovers were the cause of Montreal’s early lead in this game. The defensive zone coverage did not look bad by any means. A few bad plays were the downfall of the Maple Leafs tonight. All four of Montreal’s goals came off of stupid turnovers, most notably by Rasmus Sandin and Alex Galchenyuk. Especially on the game winner, it was just an unforced mistake. The Leafs gift wrapped the Habs another game.

Let me be clear, this is not a series we want back in Toronto. If it doesn’t end on Saturday Night, we are in trouble.

Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5

The Leafs need more out of Marner and Matthews than what they showed tonight. As much as I love William Nylander, he should not be the best out of the three of them in a series-clinching game. Matthews had some chances, but Marner had very little impact other than his one assist on the evening.

Joe Thornton doesn’t belong on the top powerplay unit. I love the guy, but he’s just too slow. I don’t love having him out there when the Leafs are behind late in a game.

Ok enough moaning, let’s talk about why no one should panic.

The Leafs played their worst game of the series and they overcame a three goal deficit. Jack Campbell looked shaky all night, but still stood tall when the Leafs needed saves. To be clear: no the game winner was not his fault. No goalie is expected to make a save on a 2 on 0.

I take solace in the fact that the Habs have only won games in this series because of injuries to star players and the Leafs handing them goals on a silver platter. The Toronto Maple Leafs have dictated the pace of play in every game this series and tonight was no different.

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17 years worth of playoff demons still need to be slain. We can wait a little bit longer. The Toronto Maple Leafs just need to get ready. Losing is not an option.

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