Leafs cruise past Oilers despite depleted defence
For much of the Maple Leafs’ season, they could be accused of playing up or down to the level of their opponent.
Not lately, though, and certainly not Wednesday night when they hammered the sadsack Edmonton Oilers 6-2 — led by two goals from Andreas Johnsson, a three-point night by Mitch Marner and a four-goal second period.
“I feel like we have a lot of confidence out there,” said Johnsson. “We know we haven’t had the greatest starts, but if we continue to keep grinding we will create opportunities. Once one guy starts rolling, we want to follow that guy.
“Patrick Marleau lifted us up with a big goal in the first. Then Mitch (early in the second). After that, there was no stopping us. We feel like we feel every time we get a goal we get more hungry to get another one.”
It was the Leafs’ third win in a row, each over an opponent beneath them in the standings and with their own struggles. It’s a positive sign that they’re getting the effort they need against opponents — this week it was Montreal, Buffalo and now Edmonton — that they should be able to handle.
However, they suffered a loss with defenceman Travis Dermott out week-to-week with a left shoulder injury, after taking a hard hit halfway through the third period from Brad Malone. Before the game, the Leafs announced blue-liner Jake Gardiner is also week-to-week, with a back injury.
“He’s a good friend. We don’t want to see him out for a long time,” Johnsson said of Dermott. “We need him. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Martin Marincin will be called up from the AHL Marlies, and extra Justin Holl is expected to play Thursday against the New York Islanders.
á Steady Freddie: With the Leafs playing with fire of late — for the fifth game in a row they gave up the first goal — they’ve needed goalie Frederik Andersen to keep them close enough to come back. Andersen did that to a T on Wednesday, holding Edmonton to one goal while the Oilers swarmed them with a 13-2 shots lead. “His composure is unbe- lievable. He never gets rattled out there,” teammate Auston Matthews said of Andersen. “That’s the way he is, his personality — laid back and calm. Doesn’t matter if they score, whether it’s our fault or one he’d like to have back. He’s composed. That’s what you want to see out of your starting goalie.” Andersen faced 36 shots and won his third game in a row — 30th of the season.
á For the Leafs: In all, 12 different skaters picked up points. In addition to Marner (a goal and two assists), four others had multi-point games: Johnsson (two goals), Patrick Marleau (goal, assist), Tavares (goal, assist) and William Nylander (goal, assist).
á For the Oilers: Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring, assisted by Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse, and Ryan Nugent-Hop- kins closed it out late in the third. The Oilers are weak in net and on offence — a terrible combination. The Leafs chased starting goalie Mikko Koskinen with four goals on 16 shots by midway through the second, and didn’t make life any easier for backup Anthony Stolarz.
á Scary moment: Kasperi Kapanen lost an edge chasing down the puck in the Oilers zone and hit the boards heavily, right shoulder first. He stayed on the ice for a good long while, but didn’t leave the game.
á Roster notes: Leaf Nazem Kadri missed his fourth game with a concussion ... Nic Petan and Justin Holl were the Leafs’ healthy scratches.
á Up next: Goalie Garret Sparks (7-4-1) is expected to get his first start since Feb. 10 in Uniondale against the New York Islanders.