Leafs Win a Thriller Against the Oilers

 

Photo From The Score

 

Last night the Leafs played their first of a four-game homestand as they played host to this season’s MVP Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. It was a surprise for many Leaf fans that Jack Campbell would end up watching from the bench in his return to Toronto but let me explain why the Oilers coach gave Stuart Skinner the start. First off, Skinner played an excellent game for Edmonton in their 3-2 comeback win over the league’s best team the Boston Bruins, and secondly, Jack Campbell since signing with the Oilers has been awful. In 30 starts Campbell has a record of 17-9-4 with a goals-against average of 3.57 and a save percentage of .882. If this was 1983 those numbers would be respectable from a backup goalie on a rebuilding team but in today’s NHL those numbers shouldn’t give any Oiler fan confidence. With the Oilers scratching and clawing for every point as they sit in a wild card position in the West coach Woodcroft must play the goalie that gives him the best possible chance to win and that simply isn’t Jack Campbell. I get many Leaf fans loved when he played here, I was a fan of his as well but I remind you that Jack had one month in the season where he played and looked like a legit starter the rest of the season he was mediocre and Kyle Dubas made the right decision of not signing Jack to the five million dollar price tag he was asking for.

For Toronto, Matt Murray would get the start in goal, his second appearance since returning from his latest injury. The previous meeting between these two teams just before the trade deadline saw Edmonton overpower and outclass the Maple Leafs in every aspect of the game resulting in a 5-2 loss. So, I’m sure every Leaf thought last night’s rematch would probably go the same way but the Leafs had other plans because when the game started the Leafs were ready to play registering the first five shots on goal and the positive start would reward the Leafs as just three minutes into the game Noel Acciari would score his 12^th goal of the season giving the Leafs the early 1-0 advantage. The lead would, unfortunately, be short-lived when just twenty seconds later the game would be tied at one. The Oilers would enter the Leaf zone and Mattias Ekholm would send a slap shot over the shoulder of Murray for his 6^th goal of the season. After tying the game, the Oilers would begin to take over and midway through the first period, they would take the lead after McDavid sent Evander Kane in to score his 10^th goal of the season beating Murray with a wrap-around. Now, after this goal, I saw people blaming Justin Holl for this goal and even in some post-game shows. To those people I have only one suggestion, start paying attention to the games when you watch them because Justin Holl was fine on the play the biggest concern was the play of Matt Murray. He had no idea where his goalposts were. He was wandering in his crease giving Kane plenty of space to score his goal. The first period would come to an end with Toronto trailing despite offensively playing a decent twenty minutes.

 

The second period would see Connor McDavid extend his team’s lead two and a half minutes into the frame beating Murray through the five-hole for his 55^th goal of the season. With the score now 3-1 I, like many Leaf fans thought we were going to be in for a very long night. The Leafs would just begin to chip away at their opponent’s lead spending more time in the Oilers end of the rink. With ten minutes played in period two, the Leafs would receive a gift. Derek Ryan for some strange reason attempted a saucer pass to his D partner but it would be intercepted by Mitch Marner who would then stick handle his way around a Skinner poke check before scoring his 24^th goal of the season. This goal would cut the Leafs deficit to 3-2 and it seemed to spark the Maple Leafs because they would begin to suffocate their opponent with pressure and zone time. Goals would come rapidly when less than two minutes later Mitch Marner would cause another turnover and then grab an assist as William Nylander would score his 34^th goal of the season beating Skinner along the ice and tying the game 3-3. The crowd was still abuzz when Toronto would take the lead one minute later. Darnell Nurse would lose the puck to Auston Matthews in the neutral zone, and he and John Tavares would head in on a 2 on 1 rush. Matthews would send a pass to Tavares who without hesitation would score his 29^th goal of the season and from out of nowhere the Maple Leafs would now lead this game 4-3. Things would get even worst for Edmonton as Darnell Nurse would be called for Tripping in the final minutes of period two. With momentum clearly with the Leafs giving their powerplay an opportunity just isn’t smart. Mitch Marner has had a fantastic season all campaign long collecting points regularly, of course, that doesn’t happen without a little luck along the way and this powerplay was a good example of that. The Leafs would be set up in their opponent’s zone as Nylander would be at the point, he would then send the puck over to Marner. Mitch would see John Tavares in front of the Oilers net, but Marner’s pass would deflect off the skate of the Edmonton defender. When it looked like the Oiler penalty killers would relieve the pressure John Tavares would win the battle for the loose puck, spin and slide it by Skinner for his second of the game and 30^th goal of the season extending Toronto’s lead to 5-3 as the teams headed into the second intermission.

As the Leafs stepped onto the ice for the third period all Leaf fans wanted was for Matt Murray to be dialled in and focused because everyone knew the Oilers with the talent they have were going to press and attempt the comeback. Toronto would begin the third shorthanded as Justin Holl would be sent off for tripping but all questions about Murray were answered as he was simply perfect for the Leafs. The Justin Holl minor would be killed off as Murray turned away many dangerous chances including one from the human highlight reel Connor McDavid. Toronto would then begin to wind the clock down making time the enemy for the visitors. Frustration would then slip into the game of the Oilers, and they would find themselves a man down as Evander Kane would be sent off for high sticking on Michael Bunting. The Leafs would cash in on this powerplay after their top unit moved the puck around the zone with ease before John Tavares would set up Auston Matthews for his 30^th goal of the season, the seventh of his career doubling Toronto’s lead 6-3. With everyone thinking, Toronto had this game in hand Mitch Marner would be sent off for a questionable tripping penalty and Edmonton would find the back of the net as Leon Draisaitl would beat Murray with a heavy shot for his 42^nd goal of the season and with a little over eight minutes left in the game the Leafs would lead 6-4. Toronto wouldn’t panic they would just reset and continue winding this game down. In the final minute, Noel Acciari would add an empty net goal for his second of the game and Toronto would end the night with a thrilling 7-4 win.

Mitch Marner with his four-point night now gives him 538 career points moving him into 10^th all-time on the franchise points list passing Rick Vaive.

After the game, there was an interesting comment from Evander Kane. When asked about his minor penalty on Bunting he answered saying “Bunting dives a lot we need to get that out of the game”. Evander you hit your opponent in the face with your stick that is a clear penalty it always has been and likely always will be. Instead of blaming someone else for costing your team next time use your head and be better.

As fans have surely known Luke Schenn hasn’t played for Toronto since their game against Vancouver and when asked about the status of Schenn, Sheldon Keefe announced that yesterday morning Luke and his wife welcomed their baby and that Luke will return to the team in the coming days. So, I know every Leaf fan congratulates Luke and his wife on the newest addition to their family and a big Leaf win is the perfect way to cap off an exciting day for his family.

The Leafs are in action Monday when they host the Buffalo Sabres have been struggling recently losing five of their last six games, but we all know that anytime these teams meet it’s always a difficult night for Toronto. That’s all for this one thanks as always for reading.