Morning after recap: Andersen stars again

For their second 2-1 score in a row, at least the Leafs came out on top this time. Just like last week’s game over the Flames, both goalies were in the zone (especially Andersen). Unlike last week’s game, I’m not sure the Leafs really deserved the win. Shots were 48-29 in favour of the visitors, and the Buds just looked kind of meh. But don’t think I’m complaining! Just observing.

Now let’s observe some things together. Here’s what went down last night.

The Flames have been scoring quite a few powerplay goals lately, and even though the Leafs hadn’t given up a goal in the last three games, this one got through. Literally, it passed three Leafs plus Andersen on the way in. There wasn’t a colossal screw-up that allowed Giordano an easy shot, no ill-advised attempt to block a shot that ended up accidentally screening the goalie. This was some good positioning by Troy Brouwer to block Andersen’s view, and a good shot from Giordano that made it all the way to the back of the net.

The play that set up Morgan Rielly’s game-tying wrister was a rare mistake from Mike Smith trying to play the puck behind the net. Smith is known for his puck-handling abilities, but he didn’t quite have the hand-eye coordination to get control of the puck, and needed some help from his teammates to keep a bad bounce out of the net. The Leafs capitalized on the confusion, ending with Rielly grabbing the puck as Giordano attempted to send it out around the boards, and you can watch for yourself how that turned out. Quick and to the point.

First shooter of the night–Matthews tapped this one in like it was nothing.

He was followed by Monahan and Marner, who were stopped, Tkachuk who also scored, and Marleau and Gaudreau, who both were also stopped.

After the game couldn’t be decided in three rounds, William Nylander stepped onto the ice to show everyone how it’s done. Beautiful. A nice touch, too, since he probably should have gotten a goal in regulation with how many chances he created.

After Nylander’s goal, all Frederik Andersen had to do was stop Mikael Backlund, which was not a problem. This wasn’t even his most spectacular save of the night, but it sealed both the Leafs’ win and Freddy’s status as 1st star of the game.

The Leafs will be in Pittsburgh on Saturday, so hopefully they spend the next few days working even harder on a strategy to help them “start on time”. See you then!