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Maple Leafs Blow Another Third Period Lead, Lose to Capitals in OT

By Chris Okrainetz

Jan 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) shoots the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov (47) defends during the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) shoots the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs center Leo Komarov (47) defends during the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs (17-12-8) blew another third period lead and lost a heartbreaker to the Washington Capitals (23-9-5) on Tuesday night.

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Thoughts and Observations

The

Toronto Maple Leafs

had a multi-goal lead and then they blew it. Although the game went to overtime and they earned a point, this team is still learning how to win. The Leafs did earn a point for the sixth straight game, though, which is a positive sign, and they had one of the best teams in the NHL on the ropes for most of the night, which is another positive sign. There’s lots to be optimistic about.

More from Toronto Maple Leafs

  • Entering Tuesday’s contest, both the Capitals and Leafs have been very good on the penalty kill. However, each team gave up a power play goal in the opening period. For the Leafs, Justin Williams‘ power play goal snapped a pair of streaks. The first being their streak of killing off 30 consecutive road penalties, and the second being their streak of killing off 22 consecutive penalties during their last five games. For the Capitals, they were 29-for-29 on the penalty kill prior to Nazem Kadri‘s goal.
  • The line of Connor Brown, Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman continues to produce. Brown’s first period goal was a thing of beauty and Matthews extended his point streak to seven games with an assist on the play.

    • Here’s another look at Brown’s rocket of a shot:

    And here’s another look at CB12’s Zorro celey:

    And — last one, I promise — here’s another look at the awesome celly from Brown’s Dad.

    Another game, another highlight reel play from Matthews. This pass was downright filthy. How about the celly from

    Leo Komarov

    , too? “Good job.”

  • Whatever Barry Trotz said to the Capitals during the second intermission, it worked. Washington was a much different team to start the third period. They were winning puck battles, getting traffic in front of Frederik Andersen and possessing the puck in the offensive zone.
  • The Mitch Marner, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk line had a rough night, particularly Bozak. The 30-year-old centre had an awful giveaway that led to John Carlson‘s goal and the line as a whole struggled in their own end all night. The trio had a slew of turnovers, lost puck battles, were caught watching pucks and gave up a number of prime scoring chances. Overall, it was a night to forget on the defensive end.

    • Although Andersen gave up six goals, he wasn’t terrible against the Caps. Take the overtime goal for example, there wasn’t much he could do on that one. I mean, if you’re not going to mark Alex Ovechkin, that’s what happens.

  • If Frederik Gauthier can improve in the faceoff circle, the Leafs might have to consider keeping him over Ben Smith, who is currently on the IR with an upper body injury. Freddy the Goat isn’t significantly worse than Smith, so perhaps giving him an extended look at the NHL level might not be a bad idea.

    • This doesn’t have anything to do with Tuesday night’s game, but how great is this photo?

    Stat of the Night

    What a difference a year makes. This isn’t a revelation by any means, but this Maple Leafs team is drastically different from any of the teams we’ve seen over the last four seasons. They’re explosive, riddled with young talent, and, systemically, they have structure.

    All of this has translated into an entertaining product on the ice and it’s slowly becoming a successful one too. Stats like this one only reinforce that notion. Be patient, Leafs fans. Be patient.

    What’s Next

    The Maple Leafs five-game winning streak is over, but the team will travel north up I-95 to Newark to take on the New Jersey Devils (16-16-7) at the Prudential Center on Friday night. The Devils are only 4-3 since their seven game losing streak, but they are at least putting the puck in the net now, scoring two or more goals in five of those seven games, which is a big improvement for the NHL’s 27th ranked scoring team.

    After the way the Leafs lost on Tuesday, I’m sure we’ll see a spirited effort on Friday night against the Devils. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST.

    Next: Maple Leafs Top 10 Moments from 2016

    What did you think of the Maple Leafs 6-5 OT loss to the Capitals on Tuesday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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