FINAL HNIC ENJOYABLE !

Montreal vs Toronto, no matter how their season’s have played out deserve a hopperonhockey.ca report.  Calle Jarnkrok out – Wayne Simmonds in.  Morgan Reilly and TJ Brodie out – Liligren and Gufstaven in.  They’re all interchangeable and Coach Keefe knows how to deploy his troops.

That would include re-uniting Austin Mathews, Michael Bunting and Mitchell Marner.  On the second Toronto Maple Leaf PP attempt, Marner scored his 29^th goal toward his 96^th point of the season.  Interesting to note that Ryan O’Reilly was in William Nylander’s spot.  Captain Johnny got his 34^th on another PP helping Marner to his 97^th.  Oh yeah, Wayne Simmonds buried some nobody to end the period.

William Nylander has admittingly been lacking a little lately.  But by scoring his 38^th on a tip in fluke may bring him back.  MM16 tagged in on his 98^th point from a newly rejuvenated Michael Bunting’s pass to score his 30^th from AM34.  A very concerning sequence had Goalie Sami vulnerable after a stretch save (left knee).   Some (me) would have pulled him in a 4-1 game.  But, he stood tall and made some outstanding saves to finish out the period.  A period BTW that had Toronto totally dominate their opponent (SOG 33-9).

The Leafs finished off the Canadiens without much of a fuss.  John Tavares got his 35^th, Austin Mathews got his 39^th and as it will probably turn out, Mitchell Marner got his 99^th point.  7-1 is 7-1.

HOPPER NOTES:  Not sure I would have started Ilya in net, but given the circumstances….kinda like Erik Gustaven (now that he’s returned from family issues) – adds some good offensive depth…I add my tribute to TV Producer Mark Askin – a pioneer…don’t EVER take your children for granted…gotta love that Leafs 4^th line of ZAR – Kampf – Lafferty !  I really like Ryan O’Reilly on my team…Willy Nye had 10 SOG…class move letting UofT backup Alexander play the last 1:10…that was the Leafs 27^th win on home ice…CHEERS !