The Toronto Maple Leafs had a five-game winning streak heading into last night’s game against the San Jose Sharks. The last two games against the New York Rangers and more recently the Pittsburgh Penguins were questionable wins.
The Maple Leafs looked to not only extend their win streak, but play tighter, tougher playoff hockey down the stretch. With all the trade deadline rumours surrounding the Maple Leafs, we would expect players to show that they want to remain on the roster and bring a Cup home.
Let’s take a look at the three key storylines out of last night’s loss to the Sharks.
Power play explosion
The Maple Leafs entered last night’s game with the 12th-ranked power play at 23%. It was the power play that came up big for the Maple Leafs is last night’s game, going two for the five opportunities.
Even without the goals, the Maple Leafs’ power play did something we have not seen consistently this year: sustained offensive zone pressure. Every power play, except perhaps the overtime power play, looked dangerous with the Maple Leafs making crisp passes and staying mobile. John Tavares scored the first power play goal on a deflection of a Mitch Marner point shot:
Matthew Knies was instrumental with the screen on the first power play goal. With his net-front presence, he was able to battle for the Auston Matthews’ slot pass and get a stick on it for the second power play goal:
Mathew Knies has 24 goals and 41 points on the year as he continues to have a career year on the first line. Knies has three goals and two assists in his last five games as he continues his push for a lucrative contract extension.
Stolarz couldn’t bail out the Maple Leafs
Anthony Stolarz has .925 SV% since he returned from knee surgery. The Maple Leafs have had solid goaltending all year, and it was on display in last night’s game. In the first period, the Sharks were pushing the play while the Maple Leafs were catching up and Stolarz kept the game tied 0–0.
However, in the third period, Stolarz showed some cracks in the armour. The first Sharks’ goal was a bounce off the boards that Stolarz didn’t track. Jack Thompson had a wide-open net and made no mistake.
For the second goal, Alexander Wennberg’s rush resulted in a pass to Tyler Toffoli, who scored on Stolarz after he was out of position. I don’t blame Stolarz for the first goal. However, for the second goal, he should have had better positioning to not get tied up with Wennberg and be able to push off the post to make the save.
Stolarz did hold the fort, making key saves after the Maple Leafs blew a full two-minute power play in overtime. Even though Stolarz probably wanted the game-tying goal back, I am not worried in the slightest. Stolarz has stolen more points for the Maple Leafs this season, and tonight, the Maple Leafs couldn’t get it done.
The other guys
The Maple Leafs are entering the trade deadline with some holes in the lineup. Notably, the Maple Leafs need a third-line centre, and could use another depth defenceman at the least.
Nicholas Robertson had a strong first two periods, and is making the case that he can buy into the system. I think this play in the first period exemplifies that:
Robertson back checked to steal the puck and started the rush the other way that led to a scoring chance. Robertson has also come alive in recent games. He scored three goals and two assists for five points in his last five games, heading into last night’s game.
Another player trying to make the case to not be traded is Pontus Holmberg. Holmberg played a strong game last night, drawing his 23rd team-leading penalty which Knies’ scored on the power play. Heading into last night, Holmberg has scored four goals and two assists for six points in his last five games. Holmberg is playing higher in the line up until Calle Järnkrok, who made his season debut, gets some games in.
Both Robertson and Holmberg have been excellent since the four Nations: Face-Off tournament. However, Holmberg and perhaps more so Robertson are two players that would likely be moved in a trade ahead of the trade deadline.
Onto the next
Of course, the Maple Leafs lost their first game of the year when they were leading after the second period against the San Jose Sharks, now 27–0–1. The Maple Leafs looked surprised by the Sharks’ pressure in the first half of the first period. Then had an exceptional second period, followed by a slow third period.
The Maple Leafs play again on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. The Golden Knights are first in the Pacific Division with 78 points. This game will be a good measuring stick game as we inch closer to the playoffs.
