justin holl is scoring at an 82 goal pace
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Post-game: Back-to-Back Bronx Team Blowouts
Photo credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2018, 21:36 EST
After one of their best games of the season last night, the Leafs came into tonight with probably lesser expectations, but still with a chance to win, despite the back to back situation with travel. But, they were up against a Rangers team that has underperformed this year, and hasn’t played since the All-Star break, so they might not have the best performance lined up either.
1st Period
Much like last week’s game against Dallas, you would’ve thought that the Leafs would’ve come out of the gate slow to start the period, but they still had their feet going from last night. It was basically a replica of the first period last night, with the Leafs outshooting the Rangers 10-5, and having a 2-0 lead to end the period.
The Leafs opened the scoring 8 minutes in, as Justin Holl wired his second career goal in his second career game past Lundqvist. This gives Holl the distinction of being the only Leafs defenseman to score in his first two NHL games.
They followed that up with about five minutes left, as James van Riemsdyk slipped through the defense and picked up a great Connor Brown pass, and snuck the puck past Lundqvist like the magician that he is, and the Leafs had a 2-0 lead.
jvr makes it 2-0 leafs after a great pass from connor brown
2nd Period
The Leafs kept the goals coming early on in the second, as just 52 seconds in, Patrick Marleau fires a one timer from the blue line past Lundqvist to give the Leafs a 3-0 lead.
daddy marleau beats fellow old guy henrik lundqvist and it's 3-0 buds
A bit over two minutes later, and the Leafs were at it again, as a nice passing play between Hyman and Nylander resulted in Hyman burying it past Lundqvist for a 4-0 lead, and that would be it for Lundqvist.
elite finisher zach hyman makes it 4-0 leafs and they're never going to lose again
After that, the period was pretty lull. The Leafs had a 4-0 lead, so they started to sit back a bit, but even then, it was still a pretty even period, as the shots were 7-7.
3rd Period
The third was also pretty quiet. The Rangers started to pressure a bit more, but by this point you knew that there wouldn’t be a point where the game would get worrisome.
Tweets: Justin Holl Edition
Some #fancystats for everyone
Holl on pace to score 31 goals this season. #tmltalk
I screwed this up... Holl is third behind Newsy and Malone, who actually averaged more than a goal a game in their careers!
Justin Holl is the first defenceman in @MapleLeafs history to score a goal in each of his first two NHL games (per @EliasSports). #TMLtalk
And a fun little survey for you as well.
Final Thoughts
A great effort again, especially considering that the Leafs were probably a little bit fatigued from last night. Not as great as last night, but still a great game, and honestly, I could settle for this for the rest of the season.
My three stars are:
1. Justin Holl
2. Curtis McElhinney
3. Travis Dermott
Up next, the Leafs head to Boston to play the Bruins on Saturday, and hope to extend their win streak against the Bruins, despite the recent point streak from the Bruins. You can catch the game on CBC, as usual on Hockey Night, with the game starting at 7:00pm.
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