Leafs Postgame: The Finn Beats the Fins

The no sleep squad is back, as the Leafs play game 2 of the California road trip, against the only good team on this trip, the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have had a history of dominance against the Leafs, and it seems like every game is either the Leafs getting outshot but the game is close, or the Sharks just blow them out. Will this one follow the mold?

If you were worried about falling asleep during this one, the Leafs and Sharks made sure you didn’t. Right off the hop, the Sharks take a penalty, and John Tavares scores from behind the net to make it 1-0 Buds.

Things were going fine for the next few minutes, but then Kevin Labanc lived up to his name and scored a goal that caught Freddy off guard.

But no worries, Kappy has things under control. After coincidental minors, Kapanen took advantage of the open ice (and a bad line change), and potted home the go-ahead goal for the Leafs.

But, that was about all the good things that happened for the Leafs. Barely a minute after going up 2-1, the Sharks tied it up on the power play, and then with a bit over a minute left to play in the period, Vlasic spun Hainsey around like a merry-go-round, and was wide open for the go ahead goal. He didn’t do any impressive moves, he just skated by him. Has it really gotten to that point Ronald?

The game continued to be back and forth, but this period, there was something that wasn’t back and forth – the goal scoring. The Buds had another two goal period, but managed to shut down the Sharks for the frame.

It started with an early goal from Josh Leivo on another two on one, as he showed off his amazing shot and wired it by Martin Jones. And hey, Freddy the Goat got his first assist of the season, to continue his unreal year so far.

Midway through the period, Zach Hyman took down Justin Braun and went to the box, but that’s no problem for the Leafs, as Marner got the puck up to Kappy for a breakaway for his second goal of the game, and the goal that would give the Leafs a 4-3 lead.

The Sharks took over a bit more in the third, but what else is new with this Leafs team when they have a lead. Despite all of the pressure San Jose provided, the Leafs, and more specifically Freddy, held strong. With six minutes left, Mitch Marner relieved a lot of that pressure, as he scored to give the Leafs a much needed two goal lead. And a great pass by Freddy there as well.

The Sharks kept pressing to make the game close again, but the Leafs managed to keep them off the scoreboard, and win the game 5-3.

Despite the shot clock and the eye test, the Leafs actually held the game together at even strength for the first two periods, and didn’t do terrible in the third despite the score effects.

The Tavares line dominated when they were on the ice, Dermott was excellent once again, and Kappy had a solid game with his two goals. Freddy was strong as well, after a terrible first period, he shut the door, and ended up stopping 42 of 45 shots, and even had an assist.

All in all, this was a great game. San Jose is arguably one of the best teams in the league, the Leafs not only played well against them, but they beat them, despite the fact that they don’t have Auston Matthews or William Nylander. It was also the first time the Buds have won in San Jose since January 11, 2011.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait too long for the Buds, as they play again tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks for a chance to sweep the California road trip for the first time since the realignment.