Leafs Tame the Wild

 

Photo From San Diego Tribune

The losing streak is over Leafs Nation, last night the Leafs returned home to the Scotiabank Arena where they would host the Minnesota Wild. The Leafs were on a three-game losing streak where they collected just one of a possible six points. Sheldon Keefe decided to give Petr Mrazek the start in goal with the hopes that he can rebound from the rough night in Montreal. He would also shuffle the lines a little as Ondrej Kase would join John Tavares on the second line while Alex Kerfoot would slide to the third line, on the back-end Justin Holl would sit out his second consecutive game and Travis Dermott would step in.

The first period quite frankly was very slow and conservatively played as both teams played a tight defensive game and really nothing note worthy happened. Literally the only highlight worth talking about happened in the final minute of period one when Travis Dermott would dump the puck into the Wild zone and Marner would chase down the puck and fire a quick shot that almost beat Wild goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on the short side.

Period two would see the game open up occasionally with teams trading chances but both goalies were playing well for their teams keep the game scoreless. Midway through the second period it would be the visitors who would open the scoring as the Wild would win the draw and Kevin Fiala would send the puck behind the goal to Matt Boldy who would send the puck out front to Frederick Gaudreau whose wrist shot would find its way into the Leafs goal and with his 6^th goal of the season the Minnesota would lead 1-0. Leaf fans at home and in the stands watching didn’t have to wait long for a response from their team because just 27 seconds later this game would be tied. Travis Dermott would slide a pass to Timothy Liljegren who would fire a stretch pass to Auston Matthews who needs no time at all as his shot beats Kahkonen on the glove side for his 35^th goal of the year moving Matthews into a tie for the league lead in goals. Auston Matthews all night was playing with a purpose, all night he was strong with and without the puck. It seemed like every time he was on the ice, he was a factor because there were several shifts where he would turn defense into offense. Since coming into the league the defensive side of his game as been criticized and at times rightfully so but so far this season he has shown growth in his game and has improved on the defensive side of things and for Leaf fans we can only hope this play from Matthews continues.

With the game now tied at one Minnesota would begin applying pressure looking to regain the lead. They would test Mrazek, but he played a solid game in goal making many important saves for his team. Mrazek unlike his start in Montreal was playing with a level of confidence that he and I’m sure many Leaf fans were hoping he could find again. Last night he was a lot quieter in goal he didn’t over commit on shots and his rebound control was much better than his last start. After forty minutes of play the game would remain tied 1-1.

Period three would begin with both teams looking for a breakthrough moment in what has been for the most part an entertaining defensive battle. The Leafs would have the first dangerous scoring chance as Matthews would take the puck away in the Minnesota end, but his shot would end up in the glove of Kahkonen. Midway through the third Brandon Duhaime attempted to lead the Wild on the attack but Matthews would strip the puck away. He and Marner would work a quick give and go passing play that would be finished off when Marner would slide a pass back to Auston who would tap the puck into the open cage for his league leading 36^th goal giving the Leafs the 2-1 Advantage.  Minnesota at this point would begin to empty the tank looking for an equalizing goal but Mrazek did a great job keeping the Leafs ahead as he would direct shots by the Wild into the corners allowing his team to clear the zone relieving any pressure. The Leafs would put an end to this game when after a battle along the boards John Tavares would gather the puck sending to an open wing where Mitch Marner would catch up to it and unselfishly set up Alex Kerfoot for the open net goal for his 8^th goal of the year and the Leafs would skate away with the 3-1 win.

As I was working on this article this morning the Leafs announced that Forward Nick Robertson had been called up from the Marlies. This was likely done because Ilya Mikheyev left the game early in the third in what Sheldon Keefe updated as a stomach issue and today at practice Engvall, Tavares, and Dermott all were absent so its clear there’s a minor flu likely going through the team. Toronto is back in action Saturday night when they travel to Detroit for a meeting with the Red Wings.

Thanks as always for reading.