Matthews cues the comeback from yet another slow start
It looked, after the first period, like the Maple Leafs were going to lose four straight games for the first time this season. But after spotting another early lead by their opponents — this one a 3-0 head start to the Montreal Canadiens — the Leafs slowly worked their way back before exploding for four third-period goals to win 6-3.
Zach Hyman scored with 1:50 to go in the game, probably his biggest goal of the season, and he added the Leafs’ second empty-netter with 22 seconds left to climb to 13 goals on the season.
Toronto’s six unanswered goals came after a first period in which they allowed 20 shots, the most they’ve given up in the opening frame at Scotiabank Arena this season. They need to get a grip on why they have been starting so poorly, but they deserve credit for finding themselves against a tough division opponent.
It was a big win that increased Toronto’s lead over Montreal to five points.
More Matthews, please: This was the type of game where No. 34 needed to take over the proceedings. He started the Leafs on their way back, scoring his 29th of the season on a second-period power play, but there’s the sense that there’s more there from Matthews — more in the way of a big scoring night. Matthews’ goal was his 10th in 10 career games against Montreal, and it came on a night in which he had a great, gamelong battle with the big, bruising Shea Weber. Matthews has done well in picking up his team — now, he needs to carry them to another level, a level they have not shown in the past four games.
Andersen, the good: Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen made four saves in six seconds midway through the second period. Among them were point-blank chances from Paul Byron and Max Domi. Andersen has been, arguably, a little soft with his glove hand of late. But he’s also come up with some monster saves over the past several games while his club trailed on the scoreboard. Goalies can get frustrated with the lack of coverage and physical play in front of them. The Leafs have left their goalie with some very difficult saves to make of late; they must curtail that game detail.
Sticks, the bad: The Leafs are not the most physical team in the NHL, which is why they emphasize defensive positioning and, most importantly, using the stick to take away the opponent’s stick. For three games now, the Leafs have done a poor job of that in the first period. The problem is they are not getting enough of their bodies in to help out with their stick work. The result could be seen Saturday: Montreal had far too much time and was able to utilize its speed in the Leafs zone, especially around the net.
Up next: Home to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, 7 p.m.