With out star ahead Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs powered by way of to a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Crimson Wings on Friday evening (Nov. 8). Mitch Marner opened the scoring with a first-period power-play objective, extending his level streak to seven video games. Though Detroit’s Dylan Larkin tied the sport within the second, John Tavares rapidly responded. He scored Toronto’s second power-play objective to retake the lead. Tavares then sealed the win with an empty-netter within the remaining minutes, as Anthony Stolarz backstopped the Maple Leafs with 21 saves.
It was a type of shut, boring video games that – though it was shut – by no means appeared in jeopardy for the Maple Leafs.
Merchandise One: Anthony Stolarz Stands Tall, Backstops Leafs to Victory
Anthony Stolarz continued his robust play within the web, stopping 21 of twenty-two photographs within the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 win. Stolarz was rock-solid all through the sport, offering the Maple Leafs stability within the crease and serving to them maintain onto their lead. He had a terrific sport. When he wasn’t shedding his stick, he was shedding his glove.
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Final evening, he made a barehanded cease on a shot that would’ve slid into the mat behind him. When he grabbed the puck, he raised it together with his naked hand in victory over the scrum round him. It’s changing into traditional Stolarz.
Stolarz prolonged his streak and not using a regulation loss to 6 video games. He boasts a 4-0-2 document, a 2.15 goals-against common, and a .926 save share in the course of the stretch. His reliability within the web is proving invaluable, primarily because the group adjusts to lineup adjustments.
Merchandise Two: Mitch Marner Extends Level Streak and Leads Toronto’s Energy Play
Mitch Marner continued his strong season with one other multi-point efficiency on Friday evening. Marner opened the scoring on the facility play within the first interval to present Toronto an early edge. Later, he assisted on John Tavares’ second-period power-play objective, finally the game-winner. Marner prolonged his level streak to seven video games, throughout which he’s scored two objectives and added 9 assists.
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With 15 assists on the season, Marner sits tied for fifth within the NHL for helpers, simply 4 assists shy of league chief Nathan MacKinnon’s 19. Identified for his playmaking, Marner has seamlessly stepped into a number one position on the group’s energy play, which has caught hearth just lately. After doing zilch, it’s scored on six of its final ten tries.
Merchandise Three: John Tavares Scores Two Targets to Lead His Maple Leafs
In Matthews’ absence, Tavares delivered. His two-goal sport powered the Maple Leafs and ended his latest scoring drought. His go-ahead objective within the second interval was the game-winner. Nonetheless, his empty-netter within the remaining minutes was a factor of magnificence – if an empty-netter might be one.
Because the Crimson Wings have been winding as much as come out of their very own zone, one Detroit participant despatched a little-bit-too-slow drop go destined for his teammate on the ice. Tavares got here from nowhere. He received to the puck earlier than the Crimson Wings recipient and, with out even wanting, flipped it proper into the center of the web. For somebody who will get criticized for being so gradual, Tavares was on the puck in a millisecond. It was an important play to ice the sport. Tavares’ management was important because the Maple Leafs adjusted to a lineup lacking their prime goal-scorer.
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With these two objectives, Tavares has climbed to 13 factors on the season and now ranks second on the group with seven objectives, trailing solely William Nylander’s ten. This marks Tavares’ third multi-point outing within the final six video games, highlighting his significance to the group’s offense. He’s having a strong season.
Merchandise 4: Auston Matthews Was Positioned on IR: Will Miss Montreal
Matthews was positioned on injured reserve (IR) Friday with an upper-body damage, sidelining him for tonight’s sport (Nov. 9) towards the Montreal Canadiens. The transfer, backdated to final Sunday, dominated him out for each weekend video games. There’s no reported setback in Matthews’ restoration, and his placement on IR is primarily for roster flexibility.
The transfer permits Toronto to activate Connor Dewar from long-term injured reserve (LTIR). Whereas Matthews gained’t go well with up tonight, he stays eligible to return Tuesday (Nov. 12) towards the Ottawa Senators. In Matthews’ absence, his teammates are selecting up the slack. How properly the Maple Leafs play with out their captain is a curious statistic. What’s the make of it? Who is aware of?
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Max Domi has changed Matthews on the primary unit. Matthew Knies has been central to the facility play’s success. He’s an enormous blockade in entrance of the opposing goalie. He jogs my memory of the outdated saying I heard once I was a child, which works one thing like, “Make your self a door and never a window.”
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
Morgan Rielly delivered a standout sport with two essential assists, orchestrating performs from the blue line and serving to Toronto keep a strong energy play all through the evening. Rielly’s imaginative and prescient and puck distribution make a noticeable affect, as he expertly arrange Marner’s opening objective and later contributed to Tavares’ game-winning power-play objective. His capacity to quarterback the facility play was pivotal in protecting the Crimson Wings’ protection on their heels, showcasing Rielly’s significance to Toronto’s offensive push.
With this win, the Maple Leafs have constructed momentum, which they’ll look to hold ahead as they host their longtime rivals, the Canadiens, tonight.
