mitch marner from nazem kadri. that's kadri's 300th career point!
Nation Sites
The Nation Network
The LeafsNation has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Leafs postgame: Let’s hope Auston is ok
Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Eight straight victories for the Leafs at home. WOW!
It wasn’t a clean victory by any means, but they all count the same.
Corsis
First period
Well, things got off to a less than ideal start in this one. The Leafs didn’t register a shot for about five minutes, and soon found themselves trailing by a pair of goals just 11:45 into the first period. Rookies Ryan Pulock and Mat Barzal- who hadn’t scored in 16 games coming into this one – put the Islanders on the board for two, and after a stretch of great play recently it seemed like the wheels were falling off the bus a bit for Toronto.
However, as is the case with this team, it seems like you only need one good chance to get the wagon moving again. Tonight, it was the hot-as-ever Mitch Marner getting things done, firing home his 15th of the season.
Second period
The Leafs had three power plays in this period, and couldn’t capitalize on any of them. They held the Isles to just 7 shots in the period while shooting 10 of their own, but otherwise, things were pretty bleh. A few missed chances here and there to convert, and the Leafs definitely made things a little harder than they needed to be.
Third period
Morgan Rielly having a Norris quality season? Well, let’s just continue throwing his name in the conversation and keep praising Leafs’ management for signing him to a long-term deal before he peaked. Coming up into the play beautifully, Mo erases the Leafs’ deficit and they’re right back in it just 1:28 into the third period.
morgan rielly ties it at two
Jordan Eberle would continue his hot season however, netting his 21st of the season. If you can believe it, Mat Barzal managed his third point of the night as well, which basically seals his case for the Calder campaign on Auston’s home turf.
But Auston wouldn’t give away his trophy so easily.
Auston deflected a shot from Jake Gardiner, and then off and Isles defender into the net to tie up the game for the second time in the period with just 3:39 to go.
The biggest news, unfortunately, came with the shakeup of Matthews moments later. After colliding with a pair of Islanders, Matthews left the ice with about 1:30 remaining, apparently favouring his shoulder and did not return.
OT/ Shootout
As per the old sports highlights adage, overtime solved nothing.
The first shooter of the shootout:
Neither Mitch Marner nor William Nylander could score… but Fred Andersen would make a trio of saves, and the Leafs would win again, because why not? Wins in three straight, and eight of nine as the Buds keep on rolling.
Tweets
Marner said the Leafs have joked about Bozak being good at shootouts "back in the day." Bozak's first season was 2009-10. Marner was 12.
one time saw a guy in a maple leafs jersey at a wings game vs. the pens, he was in my section and i was like what’s up and he was like “i just love the game!” lol 😢
All Aboard! The #Leafsaholics Express Victory Train. #GOLEAFSGO #GOLEAFSGO #GOLEAFSGO Next Up Sat. 7pm est. #HNIC Bruins@Leafs
See you Saturday as we take on Boston.
Breaking News
- Forget Claude Giroux—The Leafs should target Patrick Kane: Leafs Morning Take
- Maple Leafs hire Daniel Alfredsson as associate head coach, John Gruden and Brad Werenka as assistants
- Jim Hiller tasked with balancing Maple Leafs’ versatility and lineup chemistry
- How the need for speed informed the Maple Leafs’ free agency class
- Maple Leafs don’t have cap space but have flexibility