The divide between the NHL’s top 16 (playoff) teams and the bottom 16 is pretty well defined as of today’s standings. The east is already set with the haves and the have nots. In the west there are a couple of stragglers (Dallas, Vancouver) but the playoff qualifiers are pretty much set.
I am not a huge Corsi/Analitics kind of guy, but I can interpret what I see in the papers everyday as far as the standings go. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been accused this season playing “down” to their competition. In 65 games to date, they are 18 wins and 11 losses (.611%) vs the top 16 and 22W and 13L (.590%) against non-playoff teams. In a perfect world, you would expect a team to play at or above .500 with the teams in your category and then feed off the lower echelon at a .700 or .750 pace.
The Leafs visited Boston for the first time since October 2019. The Bruins have played at a recent 14-2-1 pace to maneuver themselves back into the conversation in the Atlantic – tied with the Leafs at 87 points just one back of Tampa. The addition of stud defenceman Hampus Lindholm and strong 2.09 / .925 goaltending from rookie Jeremy Swayman have certainly helped.
The Leafs made a couple of adjustments to their fourth line prior to tonight’s game, moving newcomer Colin Blackwell to centre with Jason Spezza and Kyle Clifford on his wings. That move paid off in the 6th minute as Blackwell converted a nice net front feed from Spezza to score his first goal as a Leaf to make it 1 to nothing. Not a minute later, David Pasternack tied the game on the power play. Just as Petr Mrazek seemed to be settling into his role with 2 consecutive 2 GAA efforts, he seemed to tweak a knee or groin requiring Erik Kallgren to replace him during the 8th minute. Morgan Reilly continued his 10 ten points by a defencemen effort converting a 4 on 4 goal off an aggressive Nylander zone entry and a flip out from John Tavares. The all-purpose Alex Kerfoot blocked a shot at his own line, broke away with great speed and then finished things off with a beauty deke of Swayman to end the period at 3-1 Leafs.
WOW what a period ! Mitchell Marner started things off scoring his 22nd goal in his last 31 games – his 75th point. Justin Holl, had just taken off his “bubble” mask from a previous injury and sure enough he has to go off after a goal mouth scramble that didn’t go his way. Ilya Kubushkin took a beating from a Taylor Hall retaliatory penalty and now the Leafs were down to 4 D-men. Rocket Richard contender Auston Mathews shelfed his 49th on a PP with support from Marner and Tavares, his 25th goal in his last 25 games. Morgan Reilly continued his winning ways pumping one to the net that David Kampf tipped in to make it 6 to 1. The Bruins tried to “goon” it up after that goal foreshadowing what might have become a nasty third period. Debrusk basically kicked in a late goal to end it 6 to 2. But that didn’t end it – McAvoy and Bunting exchanged some ugly pleasantries before the buzzer and then after it, Brad Marchant received a 10 minute misconduct for “over-chirping” John Tavares. This third period will test the mettle of the Toronto squad.
I’m pretty certain there is not one member of Leafs Nation who thought the Bruins were just going to fold up and walk away. The Leafs were cautious not to “poke the bear” and played keep away for the first half of the final period. Curtis Lazar put in an awkward rebound and then Taylor made it a little closer, but a 6-4 win in a hostile building at this time of year is a win, is a win, is a win.
HOPPER NOTES: The Leafs chased starting goalie Jeremy Swayman for the third period, a good sign for Leafs Nation to pump 6 by him should they meet somewhere down the road…players I wish were on my team: Charlie McAvoy…I think that was the best game I have ever seen Pierre Engvall play…I wonder what grotesque thing Brad Marchment said to get him that 10 minute misconduct…c’mon, who amongst us wouldn’t love to go all Will Smith on Mr. Marchmant ?…hard to believe that was Coach Keefe’s first game in Boston…nice to see MO and TJ back as a pair in the third…my Baby Amy was born on this day – SO HAPPY that is the case
CHEERS – Keep your love for one anther flowing – comments welcome !
This was a game that had to be watched right to the end. A lot of fun. Thanks for the analysis Dave.
Two statement games and they won them both.
Sadly, it doesn’t matter.
They gotta win a playoff round..
I am looking forward to seeing Austin get his 50th and hopefully a few more on top of that.
He has scored 25 goals in the last 25 games !!!
The best player in the league in my opinion.
Sorry McDavid fans..