In the third period of the Toronto Maple Leafs win against the Nashville Predators, head coach Craig Berube took out his blender and reunited Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. This proved to be an excellent decision given the Leafs erased a 1–0 deficit, and scored two goals in under two minutes, despite not playing a full 60 minutes for the second game in a row. These two remained reunited in tonight’s game.
Unfortunately for the Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin is still injured and they surely missed his career 44 goals in 60 games against the Maple Leafs. However, Ovechkin skated at the Capitals’ recent practice.
Despite missing Ovechkin, the Capitals are 7–2–1 in their last 10 games, with 36 points for first place in the Metropolitan Division and fourth in the league.
Let’s take a look at three storylines that emerged from tonight’s loss.
The power of the mighty amulet
Whether the magic amulet endorsed by John Tavares really protects you from radiation emitted by computers or cell phones or not, one thing that is clear is that Tavares has been outstanding this year.
The former Maple Leafs captain, in his last year of a seven-year $11M AAV deal, had 22 points in 24 games entering tonight. Tavares scored the lone goal in the 3–1 loss to the Capitals with an amazing pass by Chris Tanev and a beautiful finish:
Tavares almost scored the tying goal late, but Charlie Lindgren was able to stop it, helping his team beat the Maple Leafs for their franchise-record eighth straight road win. This is the third game in a row where the Maple Leafs did not start on time and reverted back to “Sheldon Keefe” hockey.
However, while this is likely a recent blip from the team’s usual play, Tavares has been Mr. Consistency all year on the second line, whether playing with Marner or William Nylander.
Pontus Holmberg needs to get out of the top six
With the injuries the Maple Leafs have sustained over the last month and a half, certain players have had to play higher in the lineup. One of those players is Pontus Holmberg playing in the top six with John Tavares and William Nylander.
Holmberg had two secondary assists in the last five games heading into tonight’s game against the Capitals. Not only was Holmberg held pointless, but Holmberg did not generate many offensive zone chances. This has been evident in the last several games.
Several times in last night’s game Holmberg would bring the puck into the offensive zone, only to give it away to a Capitals player or have a pass intercepted. It seems when he enters the offensive zone, he does not know what to do with the puck. Furthermore, Holmberg is consistently getting knocked around and off the puck. It is hard to generate chances when your line is chasing the game.
With Max Pacioretty returning to Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the recent strong play of Fraser Minten, Holmberg might see himself off this roster.
Nicholas Robertson needs to get going
Nicholas Robertson’s explosive pre-season seems to be a distant memory. Robertson only has two goals in 22 games this year, with a 12-game pointless streak between the two goals. Robertson is playing with very little confidence and is playing very anxiously.
Rather than pass to John Tavares for a 2-on-1 after gaining offensive zone entry, Robertson passed before entering the zone, resulting in an offside call. It’s these little plays that we would not normally see from a confident goal scorer.
To make matters worse, Robertson’s defensive play has been lacking. Robertson was out on the ice for the Capitals’ first goal, not being able to stop the puck from making its way to the Capitals’ defender. He also took a late second-period offensive zone penalty (albeit questionable) to put the Capitals on their third powerplay of the night.
With Max Domi nearing a return, and with Bobby McMann likely returning next week, like Holmberg, Robertson might be on the outside looking in.
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The Maple Leafs’ play in the last three games is not up to the standard of play we have become accustomed to with Berube. While the Maple Leafs play 15 games in 31 days in December, with their next game tomorrow night against the Penguins, it cannot be used as an excuse. The Maple Leafs need to get back to their relentless forechecking game, and direct style of hockey that has made them successful this year.
