Toronto Maple Leafs Weekly Report: Team Rebounds From Embarrassment

Leafs Finally Get One Against the Red Wings By Winning 4-1

Nov 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov (center) scores on Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard (35) as defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (52) tries to defend during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

If there was one opponent the Leafs did not want to play Saturday night, it was the Red Wings. However, Toronto made it a point to come out strong and put their history with the Red Wings behind them. Detroit had already won the last five games against the Leafs, including the first two games in this season series this season. The Leafs had different plans as they had decent chances to score, but Jimmy Howard kept the Red Wings going. Then Leo Komarov pushed his way to the net and found a way to beat the Detroit goaltender.

Tyler Bozak restored the lead after Tomas Tatar tied the game. The Bozak goal was a great play that we have seen him make before on the penalty kill, where he aggressively strips the puck off the defender and beats the goalie on the breakaway. Peter Holland then puts the game out of reach with a great individual effort that we have seen before a couple of times this season. Holland has the size and strength that makes it difficult to knock the puck off of him. If he keeps up his strong offensive play and try to improve his faceoff percentage, then he can be a great player for the Leafs moving forward.

The only negative part about the game was Roman Polak going down with an injury. Polak was finishing a body check on Tatar, when he appeared to hurt his leg which allowed his opponent to get open for his goal. This is what Carlyle had to say on the injury after the game.

The Leafs were also fortunate that Pavel Datsyuk did not play in the game, because the Red Wings could have used him.