After a solid OT win last night in Chicago, the Leafs were basically doomed to lose tonight, considering the situation going into the game. But, the Buds made us not worry (for once), and played a… surprisingly complete and all-around hockey game? Wow, what a treat!

The first period was about as ideal of a first period on the second half of a back to back on the road against one of the hottest teams in the league with Curtis McElhinney in net as it possibly could’ve been. The shots were even, and the Leafs kept the scoring chances on the down low, which is perfect for a goalie who lets the odd low danger scoring chance in anyways.

They even got a goal to boot. Marleau skated the puck down the ice by himself, but lost it as it was swiped away by Lindell as he was trying for the breakaway. Luckily for him, Gardiner is right there to pick it up, but Lindell had great positioning to prevent the shot, so Gardiner makes a nice pass around him to Marner, who made a slick pass to Kadri in front of the net, and Kadri had a tap in. In fact, the only Leafs skater on the ice that didn’t contribute to that play was Roman Polak.

The only negative to the period was the too many men penalty at the end of the period, but that also meant I got to listen to that amazing riff from “Knights of Cydonia” going into the Stars powerplay, so I can’t complain too much.

As good as the Leafs were in the first period, they were even better in the second period. They stormed out of the gate, and potted an early goal on a William Nylander-Zach Hyman 2-on-1, that shockingly wasn’t waived off for goalie interference considering recent trends.

The Leafs also got a couple power plays. The first one generated a lot of chances, but no goal, but the second one saw a funny bounce off of Janmark 20 feet in front of the net, and past Bishop to make it 3-0 Buds.

Of course, as is tradition, once the Leafs had a lead big enough, they start to slack a little bit. First it was a puck over glass penalty, and then late in the period, Gardiner gets stripped of the puck by Radulov, and gets it onto Seguin’s stick in front of the net, who easily beats McElhinney, and it’s suddenly 3-1 going into the third.

Any concerns that may have occurred at the end of the second were immediately perished by our lord and savior Auston Matthews, as he banged home a one-timer from Will Nye the Hockey Guy, and the Leafs had a 4-1 lead.

Oh what’s that, the Leafs always blow 4-1 leads. Well, if we’re recycling old jokes, this is one of the rare times that Jamie Benn has ever gone down.

Huh?

I think people like the new lines.

Bonby speaking the truth.

And our boy Ian being a ref truther.

And finally…

Aside from a bit of late pressure from the Stars, the Leafs played an all around great game. It’s amazing what happens when you run three and 2/3s of really good lines.

Of course, we’re gonna get Babs matchup lines when we go back home.

My three stars are:

1. Nazem Kadri

2. Curtis McElhinney

3. William Nylander

Up next, the Leafs have almost a week off for the All-Star break before they play the New York Islanders on the 31st at 7:30pm. But, you can also catch our prodigal son at the All-Star game this weekend, in both the skills competition and the game.