RANGERS 5, LEAFS 4 (OVERTIME)
Leafs force OT, but can’t stretch win streak to seven
The Maple Leafs grappled with what to think Saturday, about the end of their winning streak after the New York Rangers took a 5-4 overtime decision.
They were of two minds, really, after rallying in the third period to get at least get a point.
First, they were happy about that. They’ve come back from deficits in the third period three games in a row. And they’ve picked up points in seven straight, adding to a haul that sees them in second place in the Atlantic Division.
“We’re proud of the way we battled back,” said Auston Matthews, whose second goal of the game in the final minute forced OT. “Obviously, it would have been nice to finish it off, but I don’t think at intermission coming into the third we were ever really discouraged or anything. With the way both these teams play — high-powered offences — you know you’ll get your chances and we battled back.”
Second, they’re troubled about having to come back at all.
“Playing from behind is tough,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “We haven’t done that very much as a team here of late, but we’ve had to now, the three games in a row. That’s not a good recipe for us — not a good recipe for anybody.”
Still, it’s points in back-to-back games as well. They won in overtime on Friday. And they did it with injuries mounting, so Keefe will gladly take it.
“It’s a big point for us, all circumstances considered,” said Keefe. “Fighting our way back, it’s a really good and healthy sign for the spirit of our team. But we want to be a team that plays with the lead.”
Pierre Engvall and William Nylander had the Leafs’ other goals.
Goalie battle: Rare is the night when Frederik Andersen gets out-goaltended, but New York’s Alexandar Georgiev did just that. The Leafs fired 42 shots at Georgiev, while the Rangers managed 36 at Andersen. But the Leafs were the far more dangerous team, especially after they fell behind. “I could have done better,” said Andersen. “The guys gave us a chance to win it. I could have come up with another save or two.”
Local hero: Maybe there’s a curse on the Leafs when a GTA kid returns home and puts on a show for the family and friends in attendance. That was Ryan Strome, a graduate of the GTHL’s Toronto Marlboroughs, who had one of his best games of the season: two goals and an assist to lead the Rangers attack. Mika Zibanejad and Brett Howden also scored for the Rangers before Tony DeAngelo buried the winner in overtime.
Man advantage: The power play continues to impress. They’ve scored seven goals in their last five games (7-for-15 coming in), counting Nylander’s first-period marker that came with two seconds left in Jake Trouba’s high-sticking penalty. And even when it doesn’t scores it’s controlling the play, with all five players getting touches with the puck and creating scoring chances.
Welcome to the NHL: Adam Brooks made his NHL debut, centring the Leafs’ fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Jason Spezza. The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2016, when the Leafs took Auston Matthews first overall. His folks managed to fly in from Winnipeg for the game. He played only four minutes 50 seconds, and was credited with a takeaway. “It was a crazy 24 hours for me,” said Brooks, informed Friday that he’d get Mikheyev’s roster spot. “You never want to see somebody go down, but it was definitely cool to get this opportunity and to play here Saturday night. My parents were here. Obviously it’s a day I’ll always remember.”
Trade talk: The Hockey Night in Canada panel mentioned that the Leafs are starting to shop some of their top prospects, with Jeremy Bracco’s name at the top of the list. The gifted playmaker is a vital part of the Marlies offence, but his path to an NHL job is blocked. Fourthliner Dmytro Timashov and Marlies defenceman Ben Harpur were also mentioned.
Stats pack: Matthews recorded his 15th multi-point game, tied for sixth-most in the NHL. He leads the league in five-onfive goals with 18 … Marner has 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in his last 10 games … Nylander has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his last six.
Up next: The Leafs have a couple of days off before a two-game road trip starting Tuesday in Minnesota, 6 p.m.