JVR HAS 30 AND IT'S 1-0 LEAFS
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Postgame: Green Mouthguards for all
Photo credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Leafs now have 91 points on the season through 71 games and picked up wins on back-to-back nights. Celebrate!
Corsis
Took a three goal lead, cooled off a bit, saw Buffalo separate at the end. Nothing much to complain about here, but it was a strong night from Curtis McElhinney in net.
First period
Okay. Let’s talk about JVR.
Remember last night when he scored three?
He continued that mission tonight, potting this goal…
and then this one…
JVR's 31st goal is a snipe and a new career high
And it was a 2-0 Leafs lead less than seven minutes into the game.
Matt Martin and Nathan Beaulieu got in a fight, which you can see in its entirety here. Martin ended up on top in what looked to be a mostly even fight…
and then Sam Reinhart scored about a minute and a half later.
2-1 Leafs heading into the second.
Second period
Connor Carrick blasted home a shot from the blue line to put the Leafs up two…
Before JVR decided “heck why not”, let’s add another point.
bozak from jvr and marner on the powerplay. 4-1 bud's.
At one point, Nazem Kadri took a penalty by hitting Rasmus Ristolainen in the back, which wasn’t the best play, as Risto fired home a point shot that hit Jason “peaked like 12 years ago” Pominville in front and made the game 4-2.
Somewhere in the mess, Leo Komarov went down with a lower-body injury, which he picked up by crashing into William Nylander. He didn’t return.
Third period
Despite the four people in attendance who may have wanted it, Buffalo did not score again and have a miraculous comeback.
Patrick Marleau, however, hit an empty netter. This is not a recording.
His fifth empty-netter, which gave him his 1122nd NHL point… passing the one and only Darryl Sittler for 58th on the career all-time list.
Tweets
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (82) hammers Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matt Martin (15) with a right hook to the face during a fight in the first period at Key Bank Center Buffalo in NY on Thursday, March 15, 2018. (James P. McCoy / Buffalo News)
Jim Hiller probably deserves more love for what he’s done with the Leafs PP. I know he has great weapons at his disposal, but you still gotta make ‘em fire.
If you can’t handle Naz at his Risto-cheapshotiest then you don’t deserve him at his McDavid-muggiest.
See ya Saturday, as the Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens.
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