Toronto Maple Leafs Lose Two Straight Against the Detroit Red Wings
Rematch at the Joe
Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view during face off in the third period of the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
After their embarrassing loss on Friday night the Toronto Maple Leafs had to quickly dust themselves off and get back at it again against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday night in Detroit. The atmosphere was more electric with many Leafs fans making the drive to Detroit for the game.
Jonathan Bernier was back in net looking to bounce back from two poor performances, James Reimer made three consecutive starts prior to Bernier returning.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a much better effort Saturday night in a losing effort with Henrik Zetteberg scoring with under ten seconds left in overtime. The team was more aggressive and had better scoring chances against the Red Wings. Although the Leafs were able to play a better game Detroit still dominated parts of the game including some scoring chances while the Leafs were on the powerplay and dominating the faceoff circle.
Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson (50) makes the save in front of Toronto Maple Leafs right wing David Clarkson (71) and center Gustav Nyquist (14) in the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jonas Gustavsson had to make some incredible saves, one of his best came off of Mike Santorelli wh0 got around Niklas Kronwall but was unable to beat the outstretched pad of Gustavsson. Bernier was also solid stopping many point blank chances but was unable to get across to stop Zetterberg’s one-timer winner in overtime.
The top two lines for the Leafs were unable to get anything done against Detroit which is a concern considering that the Red Wings top players dominated the Leafs on Friday and scored the winning goal on Saturday. Zetterberg had one goal and four assists in the two games and being dominant on the faceoffs.
Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) makes the save on a deflection by Detroit Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (15) in the third period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jonas Gustavsson made 30 saves for his first shutout of the season (and of course it came against the Leafs), while Jonathan Bernier stopped 31/32 shots in his best game of the season so far. Dion Phaneuf lead the Leafs with 25:56 TOI while Niklas Kronwall led the Red Wings with 24:08 TOI.
The Leafs were unable to get their fourth line going against the Red Wings. Peter Holland played 6:52 TOI, Matt Frattin played 2:54 in his return to the lineup and Richard Panik played 3:10. Stephen Weiss was the only player to play under ten minutes with 8:03 TOI (2:03 TOI on the powerplay) for the Red Wings.
Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) celebrates his game winning overtime goal as Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) reacts at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 1-0 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
On the overtime goal every Leafs player was caught looking at the puck and standing still especially Cody Franson who failed to challenge Zetterberg who was wide open for the one-timer. The Red Wings were persistent in creating plays in front of the net and if Jonathan Bernier was not spectacular it could have been a repeat of Friday night’s result.