The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of a 6–5 shootout loss to the last-place San Jose Sharks. While the Maple Leafs were able to score two last-minute third-period goals to force overtime, it is a game in which the Maple Leafs should have collected the two points. Still, with a win in last night’s game, the Maple Leafs would move back into first in the Atlantic.
Nevertheless, last night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings was going to be a playoff-style game. The Kings sat in second in the Pacific Division, with the tie-breaker on the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are probably going to play the Oilers in the first round for the fourth year in a row. However, the Kings would like home-ice advantage.
Either way, both teams had motivation to win last night’s game. Let’s take a look at some of the key storylines.
Captain Matthews steps up
Despite being outshot 36–26, the Maple Leafs played a very good playoff-style game. It felt like the Maple Leafs had more decent scoring chances against the Kings than the Kings had against the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs’ defence did a good job boxing out the Kings, except for the one error made by Simon Benoit that led to the Kings’ only goal. Regardless, the Maple Leafs were down 1–0 heading into the third period, and needed a goal.
Captain Auston Matthews answered the bell, shorthanded no less:
You could see the passion in the celebration from Matthews with the jersey tug. For a team that receives criticism for not showing emotion, this was nice to see. For the rest of the night, Matthews looked like he was shot out of a cannon. Matthews had back-to-back one-goal, one assist games after last night, scoring eight goals and 11 assists in March. This works out to 19 points in 14 games. With nine games left, hopefully, the Maple Leafs’ captain is heating up at the right time.
The Kings challenged the play that Matthews batted the puck down with a high-stick earlier. However, after an extensive review, the play was called a good goal. That resulted in a bench minor for the Kings, which the Maple Leafs did not convert on. However, the Maple Leafs would convert on a later power play.
Leafs’ power play comes through
Much has been said about the Maple Leafs’ power play earlier in the season. Furthermore, every year, the power play seems to taper off from March onward. This year seems like the inverse happened: for most of the season, the Maple Leafs’ power play was middle to bottom-third in the league. However, the power play for the last few months has been on fire, with 19 goals in the last 20 games.
The Kings did a good job all game being aggressive on the puck carrier, blocking passing lanes, and blocking the centre of the ice when the Maple Leafs entered the zone. Being a good defensive team and having the best home record in the NHL this season, it would likely come down to special teams being the difference maker.
Matthews drew the penalty from a trip by Darcy Kuemper that put the Maple Leafs on a four-on-three power play. It was John Tavares who collected the puck from a Matthews shot that would be the eventual game-winner. Tavares would also score an empty-net goal to increase his goal total to 13 in the last 14 games. Many thought the last year of Tavares’ contract would be one of his worst. But he’s five away from 40 goals, putting him on pace for having one of his best seasons as a Maple Leaf.
Stolarz remains steady and reliable
The Maple Leafs showed up in last night’s game against the Kings. However, when the team makes mistakes, your goalie is the last line of defence. The Maple Leafs gave up 36 shots last night, and Stolarz stopped 35. While Stolarz didn’t have to make many 10 bell saves last night, he kept the Maple Leafs in the game when it was 1–0 Kings. Stolarz gave the Maple Leafs the opportunity to win, and that’s all you can ask for from your goaltender.
Stolarz picked up his third win in a row as he continues to play the most NHL games in a season in his career. The bigger question is: Who starts in game one this year? Both Joseph Woll and Stolarz have played exceptionally well this year. Stolarz is third in the NHL with a .919 SV%, and is fifth in GAA with 2.35.
While Woll has a .905 SV% and a 2.80 GAA, Woll has played nine more games than Stolarz this season. Furthermore, although he has only played seven playoff games, Woll has more playoff experience than Stolarz’s one game. Woll has generally played exceptionally well in the playoffs for the Maple Leafs with a .933 SV% and a 1.78 GAA. Either way, Craig Berube will have to make a decision.
Onto the next
With last night’s win, the Maple Leafs are back in first place in the Atlantic with a game in hand on the Florida Panthers. The Maple Leafs play again on Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks. In the second half of a back-to-back, the Maple Leafs will be tired. However, the Maple Leafs have a golden opportunity against a basement team to gain separation from the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The race is tight for first in the Atlantic Division. It would go a long way for the Maple Leafs’ confidence to win a division title, a team that has had little success in the playoffs, as well as in theory an easier first round match-up.
