Leafs Postgame: Hate when we lose

After several rough outings, the Leafs’ mediocre play finally cost them a game. It was a close one (thanks, Freddy), but a loss nonetheless. For first time in a while, the outcome kind of matches the numbers.

On the bright side, Mitch Marner leads the team in assists (just like last year, when he had 42 on the season).

I don’t remember the first half of this period, but I can assure you that it occurred. I even watched it, I’m pretty sure. There were shots, a save or two maybe, and at least one hit. But it took some time for both teams to get going, and total shots were only 7-6 (PHI).

Claude Giroux opened the scoring off the draw, after Patrick Marleau was kicked out, forcing Zach Hyman to take a defensive zone faceoff. Mike Babcock was not pleased.

Luckily, Marleau somehow got one past Brian Elliot at the other end less than thirty seconds later, which sent us into the first intermission tied 1-1.

There was only one penalty called in the first period, so of course it was on Roman Polak.

The Flyers came out swinging with four shots in the first two minutes.., and by the end of the period, they had doubled up on Toronto (14-7 for the period, 21-13 after 40). This is getting to the point where it’s not surprising, anymore. Maybe with the trend catching up to them, the Leafs will be able to turn things around soon.

Shot-counter aside, the Leafs had some good chances turned away by Brian Elliott, and of course Frederik Andersen continues to be solid behind them.

The first Leafs power play didn’t come until nearly forty minutes into the game, but they made it count, with James van Riemsdyk doing what he does best. A lovely tip-in on Morgan Rielly’s wrister made it 2-1, in favour of the good guys.

Just when we were starting to think the Leafs might get away with yet another sneaky win, the Flyers have to go and tie it. Travis Konecny’s shot was deflected in off of both Dominic Moore, but it may have also hit a Flyer. Taylor Leier got credit for the goal (as of posting, anyway).

It almost looked like we might go past regulation, but the Flyers got another one with three minutes left in the game. The between-the-legs pass from Giroux was absolutely sick, and Sean Couturier didn’t have any trouble finishing it off.

Not-so-fun fact: Sean Couturier has already tied his career high in goals (15). It’s December 12th.

The Leafs had one or two chances to tie it back up after Andersen went to the bench, but it was not meant to be, and Scott Laughton even got an empty-net goal. So the Leafs lost 4-2 to the Flyers for the second time this season. Which is a little weird, considering their respective places in the standings, but such is hockey.

Another not-so-fun fact before we go: The Flyers had lost ten games straight, but now they’ve won four straight. Isn’t that cool?

So, once again, Frederik Andersen was the most outstanding Leaf. (Unless you count Roman Polak, who was also out there, standing. …I’ll be here all week.)

Chance for redemption on Thursday! Fingers crossed that Auston Matthews will be back as the Leafs head to Minnesota to brave the Wild.