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The Maple Leafs nearly coated it all of the previous 48 hours, from four-line hockey and nice goaltending to targets at even-strength, energy play and short-handed.
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It led them to back-to-back house wins, a part of taking seven of a attainable eight factors in every week that confirmed they’re shopping for into coach Craig Berube’s sport plan. Three of the wins have been with out captain and Rocket Richard Trophy winner Auston Matthews as his higher physique damage heals. Objectives from the remaining ‘Core Three’, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander, moved them to 38-19-2 minus Matthews.
However the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Area on Saturday got here with a price: A serious-looking leg muscle pull that befell second-line left winger Max Pacioretty.
Within the second of a back-to-back and third straight victory over an Authentic Six foe, Toronto improved its file to 9-5-2. It took a 1-0 lead into the room after a interval, however Pacioretty didn’t emerge once more after limping to the bench with what seemed to be a left hamstring damage. A few Leafs had to assist him to the tunnel on the horn.
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Bobby McMann moved up in Pacioretty’s place with Tavares and Nylander. Connor Dewar and probably Matthews are ready in reserve if wanted Tuesday towards Ottawa. Matthews is eligible to return off injured reserve by then, whereas Dewar is prepared after a protracted restoration from shoulder surgical procedure and a conditioning sport with the Marlies.
After he skunked them with 48 saves in a gap night time 1-0 win, Canadiens netminder Samuel Montembeault confronted Toronto’s different goalie, Joseph Woll, as Anthony Stolarz was given an evening off. Montembeault made 5 extra saves earlier than Conor Timmins fanned on a puck, then wound up with an open lane and his snap shot hit one thing in entrance and re-directed.
By no means thoughts the Leafs taking part in low-event hockey, Timmins’ was a low-event objective, his first since earlier than Christmas 2023, the primary level for Ryan Reaves and second help for Simon Benoit.
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The Leafs added two extra energy play markers on consecutive probabilities, the Habs parting just like the Rouge Sea as Nylander got here all the way in which from the Leafs finish, head-faking passes left and proper earlier than snapping in his 66th profession power-play objective to go Dave Keon for sixth in membership historical past. After Marner delivered Toronto’s first short-handed strike of the season, a 2-on-1 with David Kampf, Tavares moved the Leafs energy play as much as 8-for-15 the previous 4 video games.
Marner, who had all of the stress on him in the summertime after a foul playoff, is taking part in unfastened once more, even making an attempt to move a excessive puck ahead soccer model. Morgan Rielly collected his four-hundredth NHL help on Nylander’s objective, and have become the primary defenceman from the 2012 draft class to hit that milestone.
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Marner’s shorthanded objective got here whereas Jake McCabe was serving a minor penalty, however earlier than that penalty expired, Montreal did get a objective from Brendan Gallagher.
The Canadiens did not keep away from a seventh straight loss because the Leafs opened up a 10-point lead on them. Montreal didn’t give up regardless of being down three targets, forcing Woll to make a few of his finest stops to even his file at 2-2. He and Stolarz possible will break up one other back-to-back this week.
The pre-game featured a Remembrance Day observance with Toronto-area women and men who served in World Battle II, now aged 99 and 100.
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
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