3 Leafs-Blue Jackets picks: Cowan’s best NHL game, Laughton’s strong return on losing effort

John Tavares registered a goal and an assist, while Dakota Mermis scored his first NHL goal since Feb. 24, 2024. Joseph Woll made 27 saves on 30 shots and was solid for the Maple Leafs. Ultimately, the Maple Leafs tightened up their defensive structure and allowed fewer strangers into the fast Blue Jackets team, but a costly blunder sunk them in overtime.

Max Domi was looking for a cutting Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but instead he delivered a pass that was picked off by Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski, who saw Fantilli race the boards. Fantilli capped off a sensational play, storming past the Maple Leafs and then stopping the last Woll for the winner.

Toronto deserved better, but there is little room for moral victories in the National Hockey League.

Here are three takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 loss to the Blue Jackets:

Easton Cowan earns a promotion to the top line in his best game of the season

Cowan drew a tripping penalty on Charlie Coyle five minutes into the match and used his speed well to create chances throughout the match. He battled for pucks when starting alongside Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton on the third line, and showed enough during the first frame to rise through the lineup. Cowan played a career-best 20:06 and he could be in line for top minutes against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

Cowan worked a strong two-man duel with John Tavares for the equalizer. Tavares rushed through the neutral zone with some force and then discovered Cowan charging down the flank. Cowan returned the pass to Tavares, who made no mistake in the closing stages for the equalizer. It was a great moment that invites a natural reflection of the times, with the 20-year-old Cowan serving as the team’s future and establishing a former captain and franchise legend.

“I think he’s come a long way,” Tavares said of Cowan after the game. “His ability to read the play and make little plays, just like he did on my goal. He just puts it in, not too fast, just in the right spot with the right pace on it, just an easy play for me to put in. And he looks stronger on the puck, absorbing contact, things like that. You saw it all game and I thought it was evident in overtime as well. He’s playing really well and it’s a credit to him, the way he hasn’t tried to do too much or overextend himself. focused a lot offensively, but just tried to be consistent with his game in all areas.”

“He’s like a dog on a bone to me. He just works and skates and sees the ice extremely well. He’s a lot heavier on the pucks and makes good decisions with the puck. I thought he had a really good game today,”

Scott Laughton’s tenacity and penalty killing acumen are a welcome relief

“I thought he was really good today. Great energy, skated well, killed some penalties, created some offense. He brings that tenacity on every shift,” Berube said of Laughton after the game.

“It felt good,” Laughton said of his own performance after the match. “The energy was there. It was helpful to be out with Cowboy and Jarny (Calle Jarnkrok) for a few shifts and Stevie (Steven Lorentz), we read each other well. I thought we did a good job for the most part.”

Laughton, Cowan and Tavares were Toronto’s best forwards all night. The experienced striker turned well in the penalty box, with a number of huge chances during the first and third periods. He made three shots at 5-on-5 while winning 13 of 18 faceoffs in all situations. He is exactly the type of composed, intelligent player designed to complete the bottom six, and he provided a balanced perspective in a market that tends to collapse by team.

“You can’t get negative or down in this situation,” Laughton said. “You keep rolling, you keep going and keep playing together. Good things are going to happen if we keep managing the puck, making it difficult for teams to get out of the zone. I thought our D moved the puck well, they put pucks on the net. Big goal by Merms (Dakota Mermis), but couldn’t get the extra. Tomorrow the sun will come up and we’ll get after it and go to Montreal for a big game.”

John Tavares is the first quarter MVP for the Maple Leafs

“He works his way around the ice. The effort he puts in on every shift is remarkable,” Berube said of Tavares after the game.

“I think the way he fights. His power on the puck, the way he skates, he creates. He’s good on faceoffs, he’s good on the power play, everything. He leads by example and he’s a great person,” Laughton said of Tavares.

Tavares led the way with four shots and seven shot attempts at 5-on-5. He worked tirelessly every shift to maintain possession and facilitated the growth of the franchise’s prized newcomer. Tavares deserves all the praise coming his way, and while it’s been a rough first quarter for the Maple Leafs, he’s been in vintage form every step of the way.