Loss to Wings says a lot
Leafs’ strengths and weaknesses were on full display in overtime defeat
It was the best of the Maple Leafs, it was the worst of the Maple Leafs.
That — the 5-4 overtime loss to Detroit on Saturday night — just about encapsulates the exclamation points and question marks Toronto will carry into the playoffs.
They could be as resolute as demonstrated in the second and third periods, applying their skills and structure so doggedly to erase a three-goal deficit. Or they could be as irresolute and haphazard as they showed in the first period.
Ilya Samsonov might prove as steadfast as he was through 40 minutes of shutout goaltending, or as faltering as he was in the opening 20 minutes. Albeit the defence didn’t do him any favours on three of Detroit’s goals, including the OT winner.
Eighty games into the season, the Leafs are in no way an enigma. What characterized their play back in October — the twitchy D especially — brands them now, as the candle gutters on the regular campaign.
Sheldon Keefe would have you believe otherwise, emphasizing an 8-3 record before back-to-back losses against the sad-sack New Jersey Devils and the desperate Red Wings.
“I think our team has shown that we know how to play,’’ the coach said post-game. “And that’s why I didn’t have to say much in the first intermission. I like to think when the game matters and it’s competitive, we’re going to be ready for the moment. Even through this last little stretch, we’ve played some pretty good hockey. There’s times we haven’t, for sure, and it’s been inconsistent, but overall I think we’ve done a pretty good job as a team.’’
Yes, they have. But that opening 20 minutes, sheesh. The inattention to details magnified some of Toronto’s vexatious tendencies. “That’s not us out there,” Keefe objected. “Once we decided it was important, you saw the difference.”
That’s the thing of it, though. All of it’s important, all the time. How often does that need to be pounded into their heads?
Consistency writ large and in baroque lettering is Auston Matthews, sitting on 69 goals with two games left to scale the heights of that rare 7-0. Got one past James Reimer; would have been two had he not rung a shot off the crossbar. The Divine M was on the ice for 23 minutes and 59 seconds, second only to Morgan Rielly.
So, too, has Samsonov been a model of sturdiness since executing a switchback manoeuvre mid-season, rising from the ashes. However, the Russian has given up 11 goals on his last 52 shots. Concerning.
“I don’t have any of that on Sammy,” countered Keefe, addressing those four first-period goals. “He’s a reflection of the group. But it was important that we play with some pride, you know? That’s why it was important for Sammy. I felt our team was going to be better, and I felt that Sammy was going to be part of that. And obviously glad that it worked out the way it did, because he was outstanding in the end. Ultimately, to me, he was the reason why we get the extra point.”
Many had wondered about the wisdom of keeping Samsonov in at that point. Keefe admitted there had been discussion about lifting his starter in the intermission, and it wasn’t an unanimous decision to leave him in.
While the Leafs battled back with sinew, the fact remains that yet again they opened with laissezfaire against an inferior team, albeit one playing with urgency to secure the last playoff spot. Too often they’ve played down to humble opposition — can’t touch this. Presumably that won’t be an issue in the post-season, with all the subservient teams gone. But pride, as Keefe mentioned, shouldn’t need to be stoked.
There are other matters Keefe needs to unscramble before next weekend. Two power-play goals for the first time since Feb. 24 was encouraging. But the penalty kill is trending in the wrong direction: five goals surrendered on 17 shorthanded situations across six games, two of them Saturday including the winner, with Max Domi in the box for a stupid tripping infraction.
Who makes the playoff roster? Who’s healthy? What happened to Bobby McMann, not seen again after departing with what was described as a lower-body injury? And does Keefe sit Matthews for the final game if he hits 70 Tuesday against the Panthers in Florida?
Not to paint too unsettling a picture off one (well, two) backsliding games. Most gladdening was the performance of Mitch Marner, who’s hitting his stride again after coming back from 12-game injury absence — a goal and two primary assists against Detroit, his first three-point effort since Feb. 21.
“It’s no surprise that he’s found his rhythm and found his groove in such a quick amount of time,’’ said Matthews of his wingmate.
Now if only William Nylander can relocate his mojo.