Leafs Postgame – All Time Low

Ughhhhhhhh, let’s get this over with. The Edmonton Oilers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 4-1 tonight, while Toronto handily won the Greatest Tank Battles game-within-the-game. The Leafs, much to the delight of Tank Nation, now sit 27th in the league. So, that’s something, I guess? 

There wasn’t much of a need to play the second or third periods tonight, as all the action took place in the first twenty minutes of the game. Not even eleven minutes into the game, and Edmonton would jump out to a 4-0 lead with goals from Benoit Pouliot (twice), Jordan Eberle and Anton Lander. Not to let Jonathan Bernier off the hook, because one save on four shots is never acceptable, but the team in front of him certainly didn’t do much to help him out. All three goals against Bernier came on tips and/or great shots from prime scoring positions. James van Riemsdyk would deflect a Dion Phaneuf point shot to pull the Leafs within three, but the first period would end the way the game eventually would, with the Oilers leading 4-1.

In the second period, things certainly slowed down. Although, a trailer for Fast and Furious 7 came on during a commercial break and it was very exciting, so, you know, not a total waste of time.

Not much different in the third. I actually had a five minute nap, which was nice, and Nazem Kadri caught Matt Fraser with an elbow to the head, which wasn’t nice at all. Kadri would get a two-minute penalty on the play, but I wouldn’t be all the surprised if the NHL hands out some further punishment.

It’s not like anyone played really well tonight, but Morgan Rielly stood out once again. There’s certainly room to improve on the defensive side of the game, but the way Rielly moves up the ice with the puck on his stick is something to behold. Rielly created his fair share of offence tonight, putting four shots on net (tied with Phil Kessel and Phaneuf for team lead).

The Leafs will return home tomorrow and await the arrival of the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. Tune in to TSN4 at 7:30pm.