Leafs Post-Game: Burnout
By Shawn Reis
9 years agoThe Calgary Flames sat 6th in the tough Western Conference heading into tonight’s game against Toronto, but the Maple Leafs were able to hold them off for a big 4-1 win.
THE RUNDOWN
The Flames were the better team in the first period, but the Leafs weren’t terrible. Both teams got their chances, Calgary just had more. The Leafs struck first though after Joffrey Lupul set up Peter Holland on a nice play off the rush following an insane save by Jonathan Bernier. They left the first up 1-0.
Well what the Leafs lacked in good play in the first they made up for in the second. They dominated Calgary in the frame early and thoroughly, outshooting them 13-4 in the middle frame. James van Riesmdyk scored on a nice little feed from Nazem Kadri two minutes in.
In the third Markus Granland scored early on the powerplay but it was too little, too late. The Flames did bring on a pretty heavy onslaught after that, but some big saves by Bernier and a couple of empty-netters from Phil Kessel and Mike Santorelli sealed the victory for the boys in the blue.
BLUE WARRIOR
He may not know who Nelson Mandela is, but Jonathan Bernier is a pretty good goalie. He stopped 29 of 30 shots and is your Blue Warrior tonight.
NOTES
- Daniel Winnik also had another strong game. He was a staple in the top-six before he missed a couple of games with injury. I’d like to see that again. He’s just an efficient player. Nazem Kadri and Joffrey Lupul were also pretty awesome tonight.
- I’ve been hard on Stephane Robidas this season, but he seems to have settled in a bit. He’s still a bottom-pairing defenseman making $3M, but at least he’s been serviceable.
- Just 9 of the Leafs 27 games and 1 of their last 10 have been decided by 1 goal. That’s crazy. That said, tonight was basically a one-goal game. Calgary just somehow lost it 4-1.
- Team Corsi numbers tonight: 60.38CF% for Calgary, 39.62CF% for Toronto.
- Tonight’s Toronto Corsi King: Nazem Kadri at 59.46%.
- Tonight’s Toronto Corsi Goat: Trevor Smith, who had a 0.00CF% tonight. Damn.
- Sounds like James Reimer will get his first start in ten games tomorrow night. Speaking of which…
SEE YOU TOMORROW
The Leafs are in Detroit tomorrow to take on the Red Wings at 8:00PM Eastern on Sportsnet.
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