Canucks shake rust to dump Leafs
Holtby stellar in net for Vancouver
To twist an old Neil Young song, rust never sleeps. The Vancouver Canucks, three weeks after COVID-19 halted their season — far back in the playoff race and with many of their players still out or ailing — gave the fully charged Toronto Maple Leafs all they could handle Sunday night at Rogers Arena.
Braden Holtby, who was having a sub-par year before the COVID outbreak, denied the best Leaf shooters much of the night and won 3-2 in overtime. Bo Horvat’s second goal of the game sent the Canucks’ bench into emotional celebration.
But midway through the game, the Canucks’ Alex Edler took the fight a little too far, sticking a knee into Toronto sparkplug winger Zach Hyman, who limped off and did not return. Edler received a major, misconduct and possible Player Safety Department discipline. That shrunk an already thin Vancouver bench by one defenceman, while at the end of his extended penalty Toronto broke a 1-for-43 power play skid, courtesy of Auston Matthews.
William Nylander, the one Leaf to have a brush with COVID-19, missing the previous 12 days — all but the last three in quarantine — was the only Bud to score early, his 100th NHL goal, and assisted on Matthews’ 33rd. Someone in his personal circle encountered symptoms, a followup test was positive and Nylander checked himself out of the lineup.
“I’m expecting William to play as if he didn’t miss anything,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said before the game.
Horvat scored on Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell before the second period ended to make it 2-1 and the Canucks kept blocking shots and breaking up plays well into the extended shifts the Leafs forced them into playing.
Nil Hoglander tied it with less than eight minutes to play after Mitch Marner missed on a short-handed breakaway among great Leaf chances through the night.
Before their facilities were shuttered, the Canucks were just two points out of a playoff spot in the North, but returned to play down double digits with a compressed schedule. Keefe exchanged messages with counterpart Travis Green, who was also weakened by the virus and couldn’t go on the ice to run Friday’s first full day of practice.
“We’re all happy to see him and his team back up and running,” Keefe said prior to the first of two games between the teams this week, with Sunday’s contest moved back a day when the Canucks players told the league they were being recklessly rushed into a return Friday against Edmonton that was also postponed.
Otherwise, the Leafs hit a few posts and were guilty of over-passing close in, while Jason Spezza hit the inside of the far iron with an empty net on Toronto’s first power play.
A few Canucks were asked all week if they feel as if coming back from one of those NHL Olympic break years, when there’s a two or threeweek pause in the schedule.
But those, of course, are a time of fun and games, with a chance to leave town on holiday and work out on ice to stay sharp.
These guys had to isolate at home with some of the worst COVID- related symptoms and in some cases, wives and children were affected.
They had no ice time until mid-week practices.
Sunday was also the delayed reunion with two Leafs claimed by the Canucks on waivers — Jimmy Vesey and Travis Boyd — just as they were shut down.
“They both worked hard, were great teammates and contributed to our success for sure,” said Keefe.
“The way our system is designed to give teams and players opportunities, Vancouver picked them up. We wish them well.
“Obviously, it’s tough to see them be a part of what’s gone on here in Vancouver the last while.”
In the past few days, as Vancouver’s difficulties of getting farmhands in from Utica, N.Y., was underlined, there was a report they’ll bring the team back to B.C. next season.
Keefe can vouch for the ease of having the NHL and AHL teams in one city, in his case the same practice rink and a few minutes by car between the principal arenas.
“It’s been excellent on both sides of it (being Leafs and Marlies) coach. It was helping me do my job at the AHL level and also what you can learn from being around the NHL team. And our (Marlies) benefit from having great access to our player development, medical and training staff.
The teams play again Tuesday and the Leafs head on to Winnipeg to try to protect their tight division lead.
WE’RE ALL HAPPY TO SEE HIM AND HIS TEAM BACK UP AND RUNNING.