Montreal’s injury problems continue with three key players out of the starting line-up, possibly for the rest of the season. And tonight their assistant coach Luke Richardson is in the Covid protocol. Meanwhile, the Leafs have two news to watch out for.
First period
That was fast. Thirteen seconds and Matthews opens the scoring while Bading just prays to get in. 1-0 Sheets He is on his knees, you see … oh, it does not matter. With that goal Matthews tied the Syl Apps at 17th all-time Leafs with 432, now 9 behind Wendel Clark for points Currently 14 behind Clark for goals – Jard (@JaredOfLondon) March 26, 2022 Timothy Liljegren sticks the lone defender in a hurry, and not only does he calmly pull him out of the Canadiens player with a stick, but Mark Giordano is already back in case he needs help. They are a defensive pair of Maple Leafs, remember. Deep in the period, Erik Källgren makes his first save to Mike Hoffman in the slot. Källgren must finally make some more real saves: Michael Bunting gives it away and the Leafs recover easily, but … well, in thoughts.
Thoughts
Montreal is not in this game beyond its own crunch, just as it went against Florida for it. St. Marty throwing William Lagesson in his NHL debut against the Leafs’ top line is something. Maple leaves with 73% xG. Bunting looked very bad for much of the game in New Jersey. He could not complete a pass, and has done a bony thing so far tonight. I hope it does not become a pumpkin again. Källgren seems to be going too far in causing the shooters to move, and if he continues, someone will find one in the net behind him.
Second period
A big change in the fourth line that leads Colin Blackwell to play a bit with Matthews and Bunting. The full top line just spins the Canadiens for about an hour. But you know how it goes, all it takes is a chance, and the Leafs have about six chances to get the elf back, and they never do. Brodie turns it over, trying to throw it away easily but fails. Many Leafy defenses from the forwards and the number two pair du jour results in: But wait! The leaves are lucky. Källgren with a good reply from the spot, and here Källgren is very good. Yes, that was my fault. Never say that the goalkeeper who plays over his head is good. Not that he’s to blame: Draw game William Nylander lets a defender enter and score. And then Morgan Rielly takes the penalty. And this game went so well! Short; Please? Wow, the Leafs are gaining possession and everyone is in a hurry. This is the closest thing to action in those two minutes. By the way, Florida played a 5F PP against the Habs the other night. I would love to see the Leafs do this in two or three weeks when they get their next PP. Montreal has revealed the secret to playing the Leafs: make them defend. They get a lot more opportunities in this period. Källgren gets away with some things out there as the Canadians put a lot of pressure. Blackwell captures in an offensive game and the Canadians face off in a hurry. Blackwell returns and defends well, but the Leafs take penalties in the game. Cole Caufield takes three tries in this power play, but he finally gets there: 2-1 Montreal Not the best PK the Leafs have ever produced. These for that period.
Thoughts
It’s not that, although for all the minimal downloads that the Habs get five vs. five, they do not waste them. It’s not even the power games the Canadians get because despite just scoring in one, they had very few shots. It’s really very simple: Erik Källgren can play a little on average plus or minus, and tonight is minus, and Jake Allen is great. Of course, it’s easier to play a goalkeeper who is not really a man in the NHL up to 50, when you’re really playing a tough, error-free game. But that demands a lot from these kids.
Third period
Nylander has jumped to the third line after his very silly move at the end of the draw, Mikheyev with Tavares. Bunting can still bring a penalty! The Leafs go to power play. The second Leafs 2D, 3F unit makes its debut. The theory is that starting with both defenders makes the transition to five versus five smoother. I remain very convinced that it is not because there are not enough good forwards at the moment with Kaše out. Montreal receives a waiting call almost as obvious as Rieli’s penalty earlier, and the Sheets make another attempt at power play. Nylander with a goal. Draw game I swear, every time Nylander makes a fool of himself, he scores later. Speaking of stupidity, the Canadians take penalties in scoring. HAHAHA. Wow! Allen steals Marner in a great shot. HUGE stop by Källgren in a short opportunity that the Leafs defended very lazily. Very lazy. Allen with a different attitude and this game is wide open, no one is playing for a draw here. Not yet, however. Big third line change with defenders seeming more likely to score. As it goes. Lubuskin with a chance in the straits. He’s a completely different player than he was in Arizona, in case you thought scouting was simple. Hall receives a shot while the fourth line also hits the net safely. Matthews is knocked down and Paul Byron leaves and takes a clear look at Kelgren and takes him. Blame the referee and say he stumbles. Blame the defender if you want, but what’s the point of defending if the goalkeeper can’t handle this kind of game? 3-2 for the worst NHL team to beat the Leafs in a game they should have won. Hi … when did this happen again? The Canadiens close it with an ENG and I will not make any bitter jokes here because Källgren is doing the best he can.
Thoughts
I like Blackwell, it catches the eye, but generally this fourth line does not add the right thing to the mix. The Tavares line must be constantly in the o-zone. (See point above) The third line is “neato”, but it is a “no goal against the line” that is necessary, but not always the most necessary. So. How is Jack Campbell?
