It was the first game after the NHL trade deadline for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche. Both teams have made significant moves as they gear up for the playoffs. The Maple Leafs’ acquisitions in Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton made their Maple Leaf debut in last night’s game, while Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle made their debut for the Avalanche.
The Maple Leafs were two points behind the Florida Panthers for first in the Atlantic Division, with one game in hand. With Florida’s notable acquisitions in Brad Marchand and Seth Jones, the Panthers became more of a nightmare to play against.
Suffice to say, it was a crucial two points up for grabs for the Maple Leafs. Let’s take a look at the key storylines coming out of the game.
It’s a Mitch Marner World
During the trade deadline, the Hurricanes initially asked for Mitch Marner in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen. The Maple Leafs told Marner that they want to re-sign Marner, but asked if Marner would waive his no-movement clause. Marner declined and reiterated that he wanted to remain a Maple Leaf.
After last night’s game, he’s going to force the Maple Leafs to pay him the bank. Marner scored two goals last night to grab his 20th and 21st of the season. He extended his point streak to six games, including this absolute snipe:
Since coming back from the 4 Nations: Face-Off, Marner has been on an absolute tear. He’s is playing with intensity on both sides of the puck, which is encouraging down the stretch. Marner was flying around the ice last night, making defensive plays and trying to put the team on his back. Unfortunately, the Leafs couldn’t get at least a point.
On the opposite side, Auston Matthews has looked off since the 4 Nations. But, he put up three assists in last night’s game, extending his point streak to 12, including this nice pass to John Tavares on the power play:
However, Matthews hasn’t shown his patented shot in recent weeks, only scoring three goals in his last 14 games. If the Maple Leafs want to go on a deep run, Matthews needs to start scoring goals in tight games.
Trial by fire
There was much excitement in Leafs Nation with the trade deadline acquisitions. Bradon Carlo and Scott Laughton made their Maple Leafs debut in the 7–4 loss to the Avalanche last night. Carlo was paired with Morgan Rielly on the first pairing, while Laughton centred a third line with Bobby McMann on the left wing and Max Domi on the right.
The Rielly–Carlo pair got off to a horrid start, getting scored on with 56 seconds into the game. The pair was -2 midway through the first period. On the 2–1 goal, Laughton lost the puck battle that resulted in the goal.
However, as the game went on, Carlo and Laughton settled into their game. Laughton showed decent chemistry with Domi and McMann on the third line. The line had some chances, but you could see the disjointedness. Carlo finished the night with six blocks and broke up several plays when the Avalanche was pressuring and even made saves:
I think we can all agree to at least let Laughton and Carlo have a practice before we criticize their play too much.
The playoffs are right around the corner…right?
This game is much of what we have seen from the Maple Leafs in the last several weeks. The Maple Leafs don’t start on time once again, as they gave up a goal 56 seconds into the game. To the Maple Leafs’ credit, they battled back and went up 4–2. However, in classic Maple Leafs fashion, they blew the lead and ended up losing 7–4.
Perhaps more worrying than the score is how the Maple Leafs lost. The Avalanche are serious contenders for the Stanley Cup, and the Maple Leafs were absolutely dominated throughout the first 40 minutes. The Maple Leafs got very little offensive zone time, with the Avalanche outshooting the Maple Leafs 27–11 after the second period. The Maple Leafs just allowed Avalanche players to skate down the middle of the zone chance after chance like it was a Sunday skate. The third period was better for about ten minutes, but the Avalanche found a way to tie the game, and then put the game out of reach.
I understand that we are missing Chris Tanev, and that Matthews looks hurt. But good teams, rather championship teams, find ways to win games despite the odds. Or at the very least, make it very hard for the opposing team to steal their lunch money.
Onto the next
The Maple Leafs were clearly outplayed in last night’s game against the Avalanche. It will take a few games for Carlo and Laughton to fit in, and the ensuing chemistry to build as players are rotated up and down in the line up. However, last night’s game shows how far the Maple Leafs are from truly contending for the Stanley Cup.
There’s still lots of hockey to be played. With Tampa Bay also gearing up for the playoffs, they sit behind the Maple Leafs by one point with the same games played. If the Maple Leafs want to go deep in the playoffs, it’s paramount for them to win the Atlantic division and let the two Florida teams beat each other into submission.
