Sometimes You Need A Save

 

I am going to take a different approach with this article regarding last nights game I am not going to go through each goal as I am sure most fans watched last night but in case you did not see the game because of the late start here is a quick recap. Dave Rittich and the Leafs coughed up another game and before I get into the main issues, I have with the game I am going to mention the positives first. To start John Tavares saw his hot streak continue collecting 2 goals, William Nylander and his production continues to rise in his second game back from protocol collected 2 assists. I was happy to see the powerplay score in consecutive games we even got to celebrate scoring a shorthanded goal, so Toronto’s special team units worked relatively well for the most part. Alright there are the positives from last night’s game in Vancouver.

Now before I go any further I want people to know I do not write these articles the night of the game because through out the year there are losses that even though I have no control over the game I still get frustrated and mad about losses so I usually take a night to sleep on the result and let cooler heads prevail but waking up this morning I am still upset about the final 20 minutes of play. With the little disclaimer out of the way it is time for me to talk about the biggest concern for the Leafs.

Goaltending…. Goaltending is the backbone of a hockey team you could have the greatest forwards or defense ever but if you do not have a reliable goalie a team is in trouble. Last night the Leafs were tied going into the period in a game where they once again out shot their opponent but in the most important period in a tied game one team showed up and the other did not. Of the three goals Dave Rittch gave up two of them were beyond ugly. Vancouver’s third goal with the Leafs ahead 3-2 after a shorthanded goal from Adam Brooks the Leafs like the night before had an opportunity to grab control of the game and probably come away with the win. Last night however Dave Rittich gave more reasons for fans to be concerned as Vancouver’s third goal beat him along the ice through the five hole. I do not care who you are if you are an NHL goalie that goal cannot beat you there was no one screening Dave there was not a deflection the tying goal it beat him clean and goals like that are costly because any chance of grabbing momentum was gone. The next goal on put on Dave Rittich is the 5^th that came with the Leafs trailing after giving up a power play goal Tanner Pearson scored his second goal from a terrible angle that once again beat Rittich along the ice to clinch the game for the Canucks. We have no idea when Freddie Andersen is returning from injury but in this five-game losing streak I think it is safe to say for the Leafs to be successful in this coming post season where the Leafs have their best chance on a deep run since the early 2000s this Leaf team needs Andersen healthy. Jack Campbell has been particularly good this season obviously, but he has come back down to earth after winning 11 straight and Rittich aside from his first game against Calgary has not been that strong and yes, I know it is a short sample size.

Last night in his post-game media call Sheldon Keefe stated he was not concerned with the team in regards of their play, but he was concerned about the goaltending. Now after this comment I heard people on the radio and read comments online say, “so goalies aren’t part of the team?” and to the analysts or fans that made comments like this yes goalies are part of the team in fact they are the most important part which is why Keefe is concerned. Right now the Toronto Maple Leafs are in first place a position they have basically been in from game one of this season and if the playoffs started tonight they, for the first time since 1979 would meet Montreal and whether it’s Carey Price or Jake Allen in goal if the Leafs went into game one with Campbell or Rittich in my opinion fans would see another first round exit and we would sit through another summer trying to figure out what went wrong and what needs to chance to actually turn the Leafs into a legitimate cup contender. Now knowing the Leafs like I do knowing they have the fire power and talent to turn things around will but they need to do it fast because starting tomorrow night they are in Manitoba for three games to visit the Jets in Winnipeg that will have first place implications. There are some positive reinforcements coming as Toronto’s deadline additions of Nick Foligno and Ben Hutton are meeting their new teammates today in Winnipeg with the belief that Foligno will be in the line up tomorrow night.

With this important three game set starting tomorrow whether it is Campbell or Rittich in goal the Leafs need to get back on track in goal to give the team and their fans some confidence with just ten games remaining before heading into what is hopefully a long playoff run.