After dropping a 5-1 contest to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday (Oct. 24) evening, the Toronto Maple Leafs misplaced back-to-back video games for the primary time within the 2024-25 season.
Between bouncing again from a brutal efficiency in Tuesday’s (Oct. 22) 6-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, getting Joseph Woll again from an damage, and head coach Craig Berube’s first recreation towards the staff that fired him final December, the Leafs had loads of motivation to bounce again. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case in one other sloppy defeat.
Woll’s Return Was a Blended Bag
After lacking seven consecutive video games to start the marketing campaign, Woll returned to the lineup versus the Blues. The Missouri native bought his first begin towards his hometown staff in his season debut after recovering from groin tightness.
He was scored on by means of a double display on the third shot he confronted simply previous the four-minute mark of the primary interval. The Leafs have been too passive defensively on the play whereas overlaying near the sideboards, leading to a simple move and shot by Philip Broberg from the purpose. The second aim he permitted got here on the fifth shot after his teammates let Dylan Holloway stroll in uncontested and rating on the facility play. He had on a regular basis on this planet in entrance of the web to deke out Woll and put the Leafs in an early gap. Toronto’s penalty killers have been caught puck-watching close to the nook, leaving their goaltender on an island.
The 25-year-old netminder appeared to calm down afterward, making wonderful saves on a Brayden Schenn breakaway and a one-timer from Mathieu Joseph on a 2-on-1 rush to maintain it 2-0. Sadly, these have been his solely highlights in a disappointing return. Nonetheless, it was lucky and a sigh of aid when he stayed within the recreation after an early collision with Holloway.
The Leafs responded within the second stanza whereas chopping the lead in half. Nonetheless, Alexandre Texier restored the Blues’ two-goal lead after Pavel Buchnevich outworked Jake McCabe and Auston Matthews to power a turnover. Carelessness with the puck was expensive once more within the third interval when Jake Neighbours stripped William Nylander on the blue line and led what basically grew to become a 3-on-1 rush the opposite method earlier than firing a shot over Woll’s glove.
Woll didn’t get a lot assist from his teammates in his first look of 2024-25 and doubtless will want time to shake off the rust. He nonetheless has work to do to shed the injury-prone label, however he’ll get loads of possibilities to get again to recreation pace and possesses the flexibility to be a difference-maker. Woll is anticipated to share the crease with Anthony Stolarz shifting ahead, and the Maple Leafs count on each goalies to supply constructive outcomes.
Change of Protection Pairings Gives Temporary Spark
Toronto’s lone aim got here from a one-timer by Oliver Ekman-Larsson after Morgan Rielly and John Tavares performed catch on the blue line earlier than Rielly put the puck on a tee for his new accomplice. The change additionally resulted in Jake McCabe enjoying alongside Chris Tanev, who suited up in his 800th profession regular-season recreation.
Nonetheless, it was a wrestle within the defensive zone for the Maple Leafs all evening. The forwards and defensemen had issues with containment and couldn’t deal with the pace of the Blues.
Energy Play Outage Continues
The Maple Leafs went 0-for-4 on the facility play in Thursday’s defeat to drop to 3-for-27 this season. The membership’s incapability to supply on the person benefit has been a evident downside because the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Toronto lit the lamp as soon as on 21 alternatives towards the Boston Bruins.
Associated: Marc Savard May Be Answer to Maple Leafs Energy Play
Toronto has an excessive amount of expertise on the highest unit to be this inefficient. In any case, the Maple Leafs rank fifth within the NHL in power-play targets (184) and personal the third-best power-play share (25.7) from 2021-22 to 2023-24. The facility play is sure to warmth up ultimately.
Extra Recreation Notes
Max Pacioretty sat out Thursday’s contest versus the Blues due to a lower-body damage. He left Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jackets and is thought-about day-to-day. Because of Pacioretty’s absence, David Kampf returned to the lineup after being a wholesome scratch.
Berube guided the Blues to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship in 2018-19. The staff concluded the common season with a document of 38-19-6, benefiting from a franchise-record 11-game successful streak regardless of beginning with a 7-9-3 document.
Troubling Tendencies Throughout Tough Patch
The Maple Leafs arguably deserved victories in losses to the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, however the final two outings have been woeful performances. Toronto (4-4-0) has a troublesome two-game street journey subsequent, with video games towards the Bruins on Saturday (Oct. 26) and Winnipeg Jets on Monday (Oct. 28). The Leafs want a significantly better response as some unhealthy habits have began to creep into their recreation. The eye to element should enhance, and power-play possibilities should create extra targets. As soon as the execution improves, this tough patch can be a blip on the radar.
