Leafs Postgame: Better to be ready if you rattle Freddy’s cage

After returning from a quick trip out to Western Canada, the Leafs had three days off. They used their free time to visit children in the hospital(!) and prepare to “start on time” for this hockey game. One of those activities was definitely time well spent. The “starting on time” may have improved (it’s a win, after all), but it could still probably use some work.

This game was a lot less exciting to watch than last week’s win in Calgary. Tempers were running a little high, but the officials mostly kept things under control. (Mostly, I said!)

Yet another groggy start for the Leafs, which is becoming quite an unfortunate habit. Luckily this time it didn’t hurt them too badly. Although the Calgary PP did result in a Girodano goal to make it 1-0 on the first penalty of the game.

The Leafs also earned two powerplay opportunities this period, but despite a good effort, were not able to convert chances into a hockey goal.

Mitch Marner had his great night without a goal against the Flames last week, and tonight was William Nylander’s turn. Besides being all over the ice on the powerplay, he kept the fourth line contending (while he was on it, anyway).

At halfway through this period, I couldn’t believe we were 30 minutes in and Babcock still hadn’t switched up the lines. They’d perked up a bit since the first, and were playing better hockey, but the offence just wasn’t really there.

The Leafs got another powerplay, and all in all the PP wasn’t looking awful tonight, but first of all obviously they didn’t get a goal out of it, and second of all Leo Komarov was on the Matthews unit for some reason.

Like I pointed out earlier, William Nylander started out this game still on the fourth line, but the lack of offence early combined with his strong performance got him bumped back up (for now). He got put back on Auston’s wing and BAM! Morgan Rielly tied it up. Technically unassisted, but that was a nice shift from the gang.

Matthew Tkachuk alllllllmost started a brawl at in front of the net (so a typical Wednesday night for him). Luckily, his collision with Andersen didn’t injure the goalie, and luckily for Tkachuk, the officials intervened before Andersen could injure him.

Matthew Tkachuk also draws a whole lot of penalties. Very very many. We are also lucky that the one he got out of Jake Gardiner at the end of the second didn’t earn the Flames a goal.

It’s official, Babcock got the band back together! Komarov moved down with Martin and Moore on the fourth line as Nylander moved up to play with Matthews and Hyman again, and Connor Brown took Komarov’s spot with Kadri and Marleau. (This is pretty ideal, I think.) However, that didn’t last super long before Brown went back to Matthews and Nylander moved to Kadri’s line, which is also not a bad look.

Calgary almost got a go-ahead goal, but the net was knocked off before the puck went in, so the game stayed locked at one each.

This period looked more like the first than the second, which is a bummer because most of the second period was pretty decent for the Leafs. Oh well, on to overtime!

Leafs OT is honestly always a good time. Especially when Frederik Andersen is feeling himself, which he continues to do after being named NHL’s second star of the month for November.

This overtime had everything. Breakaways, two-on-ones, flashy saves, backchecking superstars, no-calls, and actual calls.

Johnny Hockey took a penalty with 31 seconds left, but the Leafs couldn’t capitalize. And unfortunately, penalties don’t carry over into the shootout. (Yep, that’s where we ended up.)

Matthews and Nylander score to win the shootout–which is fun to watch, if not the best way to decide a hockey game. Tkachuk was the only Flame to get past Andersen, who was just as sharp here as in regulation.

It’s fitting that Nylander got the winner, since he was buzzing all game.

Leafs win 2-1, and they’ve been graciously allowed another two days without a game so they can make the long trek to Pittsburgh for Saturday’s matchup against the Penguins. See you then!