Somebody needs to explain to me how this always happens to the Leafs. Another game where we dominated for basically the whole time, but nothing got past Igor Shesterkin, another in a long string of below-average to average goaltenders who have decided to be prime Patrick Roy for exactly one game that just happened to be against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs outshot and outchanced the Rangers significantly all game long, but only managed to get one past Shesterkin, who stopped 40 of 41 shots.
In the end, you really can’t actually be that mad about what happened tonight. The Leafs earned the loser point they got, and probably deserved the extra point as well. You should probably just chalk this one up to “it happens” and move on to the next game.
The Leafs definitely started on time this game, getting chances right out of the gate, but it was the Rangers who struck first. Jack Campbell attempted to make a pass up the boards but didn’t get enough on it, leading to a turnover. Mika Zibanejad took advantage, stepping in to the top of the circles and snapping a shot that went over Campbell’s shoulder, off the post and in. Initially, the goal wasn’t noticed, but a review later showed that it had in fact gone in, putting the Rangers up 1-0. I’ll go to bat for Jack Campbell until the day I die, but this is a scenario where you’d probably rather have him either leave the puck behind the net or not go out to play it at all. I’m of the camp that thinks that goalies should just not play the puck anymore, it ends in disaster far too often.
The Leafs kept pressing, outshooting the Rangers 10-8 in the first, but weren’t able to get anything past Shesterkin until 1:36 into the second, when Morgan Rielly turned on the jets through the neutral zone before taking a shot from the outside hash marks. Shesterkin made the save, but Michael Bunting crashed the net and caused havoc, (maybe) tipping the puck home to tie the game. I say maybe because I have yet to see an angle that definitively shows Bunting actually touched the puck. From what I can see the shot ramps up Shesterkin’s stick before bouncing off of his pad and in. Regardless, Bunting was credited with his second goal in as many games, and he deserved it. That puck doesn’t go in if he isn’t crashing the net and making life miserable for Shesterkin, which is exactly what Bunting loves to do.
The Leafs kept putting up chances, outshooting New York 17-2 in the second, but nothing went. Auston Matthews played fantastic in his season debut, with 8 shots and 16 shot attempts, some of which were great chances, but not enough to beat Igor “Dominik Hasek” Shesterkin.
The game went to overtime, which was perhaps the most exciting 3 on 3 overtime I’ve seen in years. Back and forth action, great chances on either end, huge saves from both goalies. Auston Matthews tapped a puck past a wide-open net, but it was a simple shot from a sharp angle from Artemi Panarin that beat Jack Campbell and gave the Rangers the win. What can you do.
Bright Spots
Auston Matthews: It was so nice to have Matthews back. The Leafs looked so much better with him in the lineup, and if he keeps putting up shots like he did tonight, he’ll start scoring a lot soon. This should be the year he finally hits 50 goals. He was on pace for it in the last two years, but shortened seasons robbed him twice.
Michael Bunting: I love this guy. He plays hard, is willing to go to the dirty areas, and now has two goals in the last two games. Instant fan favourite.
Jack Campbell: He didn’t face many shots, but made some fantastic saves that ended up earning the Leafs the loser point. I know I criticized him earlier, but I’ve got nothing but love for my boy Soupy.
Down Bad:
Nick Ritchie: At the beginning of the season, Ritchie was voted the most exciting Leafs addition in a poll by The Athletic. He has proceeded to do absolutely nothing for the team. For some reason he’s in a top-six role, despite the fact that he is far too slow to keep up with Matthews and Marner, and has hands made out of metamorphic rock. Every single time he touched the puck in this game, the play died and the Rangers had it within seconds. He’s barely earned a spot in the lineup, let alone on the top line. It’s time to get someone new in there.
Tweets of the Night:
I would argue that Richie should be bumped to the fourth line until he shows he deserves a spot higher in the lineup. Make your lines something like this:
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Kase
Ritchie-Spezza-Simminds
Somebody had to be the scapegoat, okay.
The Ritchie slander will not stop until he is demoted or starts playing better. (Nothing personal Nick)
Overall grade: A
You really can’t ask for the Leafs to do much more than they did tonight, except for score. These are the kinds of games that are going to happen, and despite all of my whining, they happen to every team, not just the Leafs. Process over results. (Until the playoffs)
Next up: San Jose comes to Scotiabank Arena on Friday