Toronto Maple Leafs passed a major test of the season
The Toronto Maple Leafs ended the Winnipeg Jets perfect season with a 6-4 win. The game built on the positives from the Leafs previous outing against the Boston Bruins. The two games could be a glimpse into what the Leafs could become as the season wears on.
The Toronto Maple Leafs passed a major test on Monday night, defeating the Winnipeg Jets 6-4 in their building. Now, the significance of that win has several dimensions.
First, the Jets entered the game as the NHL’s only undefeated team. The Jets were a pristine 8-0 and looking to march toward an NHL record. Winnipeg had shown great versatility by winning a couple of blowouts as well as close games. The Toronto Maple Leafs needed to show up against this team.
The Leafs played two great periods to go up 4-0 and build a 5-2 lead after 40 minutes. While the Jets mounted a comeback, it was in garbage time, and the Leafs were never really in any danger.
Second, John Tavares had a hat trick. While the third goal was an empty-netter, he paid the price with his body by taking a hard hit as he floated the puck into the wide-open cage. The performance was extremely significant for Tavares as there have been all sorts of questions about his effectiveness heading into this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs passed a major test of the season
Third, Max Pacioretty, who has been a healthy scratch a couple of times this season, had three assists. The second line of Tavares, Pacioretty, and William Nylander is looking to gel. Having two veterans like Tavares and Pacioretty takes a lot of the defensive pressure off Nylander. Incidentally, Nylander also had a goal on Monday night.
Perhaps the most salient point is the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs scored five goals on Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck has been playing up to his usual Vezina-caliber level. But he looked human against the Leafs.
Perhaps Hellebuyck and the Jets were overconfident about facing Toronto. Perhaps the losses against Columbus and St. Louis prompted the Jets to believe this would be an “easy” win. But as is the case in any sport, one can never underestimate an opponent.
The Leafs have played two tough teams in consecutive outings. The game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday was another tough test that the Leafs passed, albeit with a C+. The Bruins’ game was winnable, except for crucial mistakes.
Unfortunately, the Leafs lost the game. As Craig Berube pointed out, those mistakes could be the difference between winning a game and winning a series.
At the end of the day, the Leafs have played much better than their record shows. The Leafs are part of a learning process under Berube that has shown some growing pains. In many ways, the difference between Sheldon Keefe and Berube is virtually night and day.
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Let’s hope that October’s struggles will translate into a well-oiled machine come spring. If everyone fully commits to the system, the Leafs could be an unstoppable force in the playoffs.