Lucas Wallmark has a wide open net but rings it off the crossbar.
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Postgame: 2 Playoff Teams
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
By ThatsKappy
Apr 2, 2019, 22:10 EDT
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes, who are a playoff team.
1st Period
Are the playoffs starting yet?
Jake Muzzin and Andreas Johnsson were out for the Leafs, which means Trevor Moore stays in and Martin Marincin returns to the lineup beside Calle Rosen.
The first period started off with an early golden opportunity for the Hurricanes, who were producing most of the offense:
A lucky break for Sparks, who was down and out, and the score stays 0-0.
Later in the frame, it appeared that William Nylander had put the Leafs up 1-0 with a beautiful wrister. However:
A blatant offside, so not the worst review, but still. Boo.
And to make matters worse…
Justin Williams scores from behind the net. 1-0 Canes.
Ah, Martin Marincin and Garret Sparks. The perfect storm of bad Leafs who I hope I never see play after this season. 1-0 Canes off of a terrible bounce.
That’s how the first period would end. Oh, by the way, the Leafs had 2 shots.
Shots were 10-2 for Carolina.
2nd Period
With Martin Marincin in the box…
Hamilton scores on the PP. Another one from behind the goal line. 2-0 Canes.
Dougie Hamilton scores against his favorite team, and it’s 2-0 bad guys. Also the Leafs only have 3 shots.
Thankfully, though, John Tavares reminded us all that he is a Toronto Maple Leaf (and might score 50 goals).
JOHN TAVARES 🚨 His 47th of the year! 2-1.
JT’s 47th of the season brings the Leafs to within 1.
Mitch Marner almost added one on a beautiful attempt later in the frame, but Justin Williams decided otherwise:
Marner with a slick move in tight. Nearly buries the back-hand but Faulk gets his stick on it.
And that’s all the second would have in store. Auston Matthews would come close on a chance later in the frame as well, but the Leafs tie the Canes 12-12 in shots in the period, and head into the 3rd down 2-1.
3rd Period
Jordan Staal scored. Go Canes?
Also Brock McGinn scored an empty-netter, but it was offside. Then Dougie Hamilton scored a real empty netter, so it was actually 4-1.
The Leafs lost 4-1 and all I got was the Carolina Hurricanes being a playoff team. That’s it. That’s the game.
Tweets
2 Playoff team’s so who cares.
Offside… down 2… on an empty netter?
Hard agree.
Takeaways
The Carolina Hurricanes are making the playoffs. Garret Sparks may never play another NHL game. That’s that, folks!
Back at it on Thursday night against Tampa.
Who Wore the Crown?
After every Leaf game, we’re recognizing one Leaf player who best exemplified what it means to play hockey the “Toronto Way”: with heart and soul, above all else. Who wore the Crown is brought to you by Crown Royal, passionate fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The crown was uhhh… John Tavares again. No real surprise.
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