Toronto Maple Leafs Beat Hottest Team to Become Hottest Team

The Toronto Maple Leafs played a solid road game and ended the winning streak of the NHL’s hottest team.

It was a hard-fought 2-1 final, and the Toronto Maple Leafs really had no business winning – the Devils controlled the play, were the better team and had the worst luck.

But the Devils won 13 games in a row.  They are a good team, but based on yesterday’s comments section, the average fan has no idea how lucky you actually have to get to win that many games in a row.

The injury riddled Leafs had a great first period, went up 2-0 then inexplicably seemed to try to desperately hold that lead instead of continuing the attack.

Considering the Devils scored four times (though only one counted) it was probably not the best strategy.  I don’t recall ever seeing  a game where a team lost three straight reviews.

Also, I don’t know if the price of beer is cheaper in the States or what, but for the record, if I buy one of those $22 dollars beers they have at the ACC, I wouldn’t throw it on the ice to put out a fire.

What is wrong with people?

Toronto Maple Leafs vs NJ Devils

The Devils won 13 in a row, but the Leafs played them twice and took three out of four points.

Other than the Devils getting 14 5v5 scoring chances vs the Leafs 3 in the third period, I think they played a decent enough game.  (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Matt Murray was excellent, continuing the tradition of every Leafs goalie being awesome this year so far.

Holl and Giordano each played five minutes on the PK, but Keefe inexplicably used Holl the most 5v5, which likely explains why they were hemmed in their own end so much.

Holl played 18 5v5 minutes, Liljegren, Sandin and Giordano played 16 each.

Gio and Holl were thoroughly dusted by the Devils, while Sandin and Liljegren finished with a 66% Expected Goals rating while being on for both Leafs goals.

It was nice that Pontus Holmberg scored, but the Devils were crushing the Leafs whenever he was on the ice.

Nick Robertson played a nice game. He’s such a natural grinder that he’s noticeable whenever he’s out there, and even though he didn’t get off a shot on net, I thought he was good.  Keefe has such a short leash though, he went to Kerfoot a bit and that honestly might more about Kerfoot than Robertson.

Essentially relegated the fourth line (because Keefe plays Kampf like a 3rd liner, regardless of how the lines get listed) the Kerfoot/Jarnkrok line was bad again last night.

I like both players but at this point they could easily be replaced by cheap Marlies with upside.  On a normal night were Engvall is with them, instead of Holmberg, it is an expensive fourth line, and what they are bringing to the table could easily be bettered by say Alex Steeves, Adam Gaudette and Joey Anderson.

Finally, Mac Hollowel’s debut.  Not bad, not great.  His partner got injured halfway through the game and he didn’t get a ton of ice time, but the stats weren’t terrible.

The Leafs are now on an incredible 7-1-4 run, which is a .750 points-percentage, which is higher than you would likely need to win you the division and President’s Trophy.

While the Leafs are now the hottest team in the NHL, they are also injury riddled, have lost to several bad teams, have five OT losses, and Auston Matthews has yet to score at his normal 5v5 pace, which means they are way better than their current already very good record.