The injury wagon claimed another passenger with Max Pacioretty being the latest Toronto Maple Leaf put on IR. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets were without captain Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan in their latest matchup. Despite the injuries this season, the Maple Leafs find themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference with 62 points.
Heading into the game, the Columbus Blue Jackets were one point out of a wild card spot, while the Maple Leafs were looking to extend their three-game win streak to four. Dennis Hildeby drew into the line-up with Joseph Woll given the night off after starting four games in a row.
Let’s take a look at the main storylines coming out of the Leafs’ game versus the Blue Jackets.
You win some, you lose some
Despite losing the game 5–1, the Maple Leafs overall played a very solid game and didn’t leave much to dislike. The Maple Leafs outshot the Blue Jackets 30–19, won 61.5% of the face-offs, out hit the Blue Jackets 18–11, and had much more offensive zone time than the Blue Jackets.
It’s what you want in every game: very little time in the defensive zone, and an eternity in the offensive zone. The Maple Leafs feasted on the Blue Jacket’s man-on-man coverage all night. However, other than an Auston Matthews goal late halfway through the third period, the Maple Leafs could not convert on their chances.
With a couple of defensive lapses and a few goals that Hildeby would probably want back, and that’s how it goes. The Devil’s in the details. If the Maple Leafs play the majority of the games how they played versus Columbus, they’re winning most of the games.
Power play downfall
While the power play has scored in the last three games prior—going three for seven which moved the power play ranking up to 13th—the Maple Leafs went zero-for-three on the power play against Columbus.
To add insult to injury, the Maple Leafs gave up a shorthanded goal on their second power play to Adam Fantilli. The Maple Leafs are now tied for fourth in shorthanded goals against with five.
But how the Maple Leafs played on the power play is what we have seen all year—too much perimeter passing, not enough shots getting through traffic… not enough shots period.
The Maple Leafs at times are guilty of looking for the perfect highlight-reel goal with high-risk, high-reward passes, instead of getting pucks on the net and scoring off the rebound. This is where John Tavares is sorely missed.
The Maple Leafs need Anthony Stolarz back
Hildeby did not have the best outing, with several goals he would have liked back. However, he has played four games in the last two months, with playing only one game in December.
While Hildeby may not be the answer this year, he is still young at 23 years old and still has potential. His save percentage last year with the Toronto Marlies was .913 in 41 games and has posted a .916 save percentage in eight games with the Marlies this year.
If anything, the tilt against the Blue Jackets showed us that the Maple Leafs really need their tandem goaltender Anthony Stolarz back, having been out since mid-December with a knee injury. Playing Hildeby so infrequently could be a negative on his development at this stage of his career. That’s also not a knock against Woll either.
Having already played a career-high 26 games, Maple Leafs’ management is looking to keep Woll healthy after several injuries already in his young NHL career. He can’t play every game. So the question becomes: Does Matt Murray draw back into the lineup until Stolarz returns?
Onto the next one
With the win, the Blue Jackets have won the last four of five games against the Maple Leafs. Adding more fuel to the fire is Matthew Knies leaving late in the second period due to an upper-body injury. That would be a very devastating blow to the Maple Leafs lineup if Knies is out long-term.
The Maple Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, Hockey Night in Canada. The Senators are trying to create separation in the top wild card spot in the East and always seem to play the Maple Leafs like it’s the playoffs. With the recent good stretch of hockey that the Maple Leafs have played, it should be exciting!
