It was Sheldon Keefe’s return to Toronto last night, as the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the New Jersey Devils. Both teams are neck in neck in the conference, with the Devils in second and the Maple Leafs third with a game in hand.
The Maple Leafs have not played good hockey over the last week. Between the controversial comments made by Mitch Marner saying he liked their effort against the 3–0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, and the general lackadaisical effort in the last three losses, the Maple Leafs were looking to turn the ship around.
Fortunately, Jake McCabe returned to the lineup after being out for a week and was reunited with Chris Tanev. Unfortunately, the Hockey Gods demanded retribution with John Tavares being put on IR with an injury during practice.
Despite the injuries, the Maple Leafs needed to persevere against a good Devils team. Let’s take a look at the storylines coming out of last night’s game.
Captain Matthews is so back
Much has been said about Auston Matthews’ injuries this year, and earlier in the season, he did not look like the Auston Matthews we’re used to seeing. However, since being back from injury for the second time, Matthews has scored six goals in his last seven games after scoring two last night. Captain Matthews came in clutch tying the game twice last night.
But it’s how he’s scoring that matters, as his shot is looking more like the patented Matthews shot that has won him the Rocket Richard trophy three times so far in his career. Take his second goal of the game to tie the game 3–3:
Marner picked up two assists last night to get his 701st point, making him the fastest Maple Leaf in franchise history to do so, as well as a brilliant pass from his own zone to William Nylander for the overtime winner:
Monkey off Nylander’s back
After signing a franchise-record eight-year, $92M extension with the Maple Leafs last year, expectations are naturally sky-high. Heading into last night’s game, Nylander had one goal and five assists in his last 11 games, with the goal being the only point in his last seven. This is simply not good enough.
Nylander scored his 25th goal of the season in the second period to tie the game 1–1 from an assist by Max Domi filling in for the injured Tavares. Domi picked up his 300th assist in his 699th game.
Nylander also scored the overtime winner, for his 26th goal, tying him for third in league goal scoring. Despite his recent slump, Nylander is having a phenomenal year, being on pace for a career-high of 46 goals.
Nylander received criticism for his comments about the crowd booing at the Maple Leafs’ poor effort in the last three games. While Nylander’s nonchalant attitude may rub some fans the wrong way, the man can score goals. To say he doesn’t care, which is often said about Marner and Matthews is a bit of a stretch for all these players.
The Maple Leafs need a third-line centre
With Tavares out for at least a week, and probably more, the Maple Leafs more than ever need a third-line centre. No disrespect to Pontus Holmberg, but Holmberg made several giveaways in the offensive zone this game.
The makeshift third line of Max Pacioretty, Pontus Holmberg, and Nicholas Robertson had a combined five shots on net and did not generate much offensive zone pressure outside the first three minutes of the second period.
While not terrible defensively this game, and it is a makeshift line, the third line on the Leafs needs to generate more offence. Robertson has one goal in his last nine games after last night’s game. If he wants to stay in the lineup he needs a centre who can get him the puck.
Fraser Minten was called up from the Toronto Marlies and is expected to play Saturday against the Canadiens. Minten did well in his last call-up as the third-line centre, scoring two goals and two assists in 11 games. But he looked like he belonged in the third-line centre role. Time will tell what happens at the third-line centre position as we approach the trade deadline.
Onwards
The Maple Leafs should be happy with their performance against the Devils last night, spoiling Sheldon Keefe’s return to Toronto. The Maple Leafs looked much more aggressive, especially being down late in the third period. The Maple Leafs out-shot the Devils 41–24 and out-hit them 25–14.
The Maple Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, where they hope to build off their solid effort last night.
