The Toronto Maple Leafs returned to action against the Montreal Canadiens in their first game at home after a six-game road trip. This is the third match between the two teams and the season series is tied at one match a piece with both matches ending with a score of 5-2
Related: Canadiens outlast Maple Leafs, win 2-1 in Shootout
Last night’s match was a hard-fought, defensive affair. The Canadiens led 1–0 until the Maple Leafs scored to tie the score with less than 10 minutes left in the third. Both goalkeepers were exceptional and kept their teams in it. It was more of a playoff atmosphere, but it was a fun game to watch. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs’ three-game winning streak was snapped, but they did manage to record a point by sending it to overtime.
Hildebeast was lights out
It’s not every day that a team throws their third goalie into a Saturday night, Hockey Night in Canada, Original Six matchup. But for the Maple Leafs, they had no other options. They had to play against Dennis Hildeby because they were both Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll are on IR. And he didn’t disappoint at all. This was his chance to show the organization that he has what it takes to take the next step, and last night he played extremely well in one of the most important games of the season.
In total, he faced 34 shots and stopped 33 of them. He finished the night with a save percentage of .971. Unfortunately, he was defeated twice during the shootout, causing them to lose. But it was largely thanks to him that the Maple Leafs were able to stay in the game for fifty minutes and only trail by one. Hopefully he can carry that performance over to another big game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.
Laughton has scored in three straight games
Over the last few matches there have been a few players who have made their mark on the game at the right time, leading to them increasing their lead or even taking the lead. Well, last night Scott Laughton made his mark for the third game in a rowbut this time it was a draw. And the way he scored, with a huge punch over Jakub Dobes’ shoulder from five to six yards out, shows just how confident he is in the way he’s been playing lately.
Related: Maple Leafs linked to Bunting in rumored deal with Predators
That tying goal was vintage Laughton and got the Maple Leafs back into the game. When they bought him from the Philadelphia Flyerseveryone in the fanbase expected this version of him, not the one we saw at the end of last season. Now that he’s overcome injuries and is finally healthy, he’s showing just how effective he can be in the lineup. Additionally, since getting his game together offensively, he also seems to be playing better on the defensive side of the puck and gaining more trust from Craig Berube on a nightly basis.
What’s next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs picked up a point against the Canadiens last night and are now tied with the Ottawa Senators for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. They will have a quick turnaround when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning at home on Monday night. That game will be a Prime Monday night hockey broadcast. But more importantly, a win on Monday night could help them climb further in the standings. They are now just four points behind the Lightning for first place in the division.
#Takeaways #Maple #Leafs #Loss #Canadiens #Hockey #Writers #Latest #News #Analysis