TLN Postgame: C7-2cago

Chicago scored 7 and the Leafs scored 2. In a stinky season, you’re going to have a few stinkers. And this one smelled baaaaaaaad. The result or even the scoreline wasn’t surprising per se, but the path was a little wonky.

Through 40, Scott Darling was pitching a shutout with a 3-0 lead. An ugly scoreline from a Leafs perspective, but not entirely unexpected considering the lineup they were icing. After giving up goals in the first three minutes of both the first and the second period, James Reimer otherwise looked like he mostly just needed some help. The Leafs were controlling some of the play, and actually outshot Chicago 15-5 in the second. 

Before the third period was nine minutes old, the lead was doubled to 6-0. Chicago struck four times on the power play on seven chances, but added three even strength markers just for kicks. Here’s one of them, scored by Artemi Panarin:

For some reason, James Reimer stayed in for all seven goals. Oh, and Patrick Kane had four points on the day: three assists and a goal. Decent season he’s having. 

By the time Mark Arcobello scored the Leafs’ first goal, they were already down by 7. PA Parenteau added a late goal to put the Leafs within five, but, like, it was also within five.  

??????

Seriously, take a look at the game report from hockeystats.ca. Any way you slice it, this doesn’t stack up to be a 7-2 loss. The Leafs outshot the defending Stanley Cup Champions by five… and lost by five. Sports are silly. 

I’ll give it to PA Parenteau. He had a goal and an assist, both the result of hard work. Upping that sweet, sweet trade value! 

To go along with his two points, he racked up a 73 CF% percentage on 5 on 5, to lead the team.

The Leafs play the Rangers Thursday night back at the Air Canada Centre at 7:30 p.m.