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Toronto Maple Leafs Survive Detroit Red Wings’ Late Push, Win 3-2

By Chris Okrainetz

Mar 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) is greeted by forwards Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (29) after scoring against Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri (43) is greeted by forwards Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (29) after scoring against Detroit Red Wings in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs (29-22-14) survived the Detroit Red Wings’ (25-28-11) late attack and hung on for a 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.

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Thoughts and Observations

  • The Toronto Maple Leafs got off to a quick start on Tuesday, jumping out to a 3-0 lead, but, in true Toronto fashion, at least for this season, they allowed the Red Wings to get back into the game and almost blew another two-goal third period lead. Thankfully, Toronto was able to hang on and outlast the Wings.

    • For the first 37 minutes of the hockey game, the Red Wings looked like a team that is ready for the season to end. Then, out of nowhere, they woke up and made this a hockey game.

    Detroit’s first goal of the game stemmed from a bad defensive zone breakdown late in the second period. Kudos to the Red Wings for getting good pressure on the forecheck, which forced

    Morgan Rielly

    to try to play the puck up the boards, and then prevented

    Auston Matthews

    from chipping the puck out of the zone, but the Leafs inability to make a clean play in their own zone once again cost them. It was an ugly goal to surrender with less than a minute left in the second period, but playing in their own zone has been a problem for the Leafs all season.

  • Earlier on Tuesday Mike Babcock challenged Rielly “to get his swagger back.” Unfortunately, that didn’t happen against the Red Wings and Rielly’s play was just okay, at best, on Tuesday. I don’t know what it is with Rielly this season, perhaps his ankle injury is lingering and bothering him more than we’re told, but he’s been average this season, especially in his own zone, and the turnovers have been an issue.
  • Frederik Andersen didn’t see much action during the first 40 minutes of this game, but he was busy during the third period and he stood tall for the Leafs. Freddy has been excellent lately and the Leafs will need his strong play to continue going forward.

    • Feel good moment for

    Alexey Marchenko

    in the first period when he scored the first goal of the game, which was also his first goal as a Maple Leaf.

    Very quietly,

    William Nylander

    now has 15 points in his last 16 games.

    More from Tip of the Tower

  • Babcock reunited Nylander with Matthews, and Connor Brown with Nazem Kadri, midway through the third period. I’d love to see Nylander stick with Matthews going forward. I have no problem with Zach Hyman being attached to Matthews’ hip when you look at all the little things he does well, but having a playmaker like Nylander on Matthews’ wing could help generate more offence. With Kadri and Leo Komarov taking on a more defensive role in 5-on-5 play, Brown’s hardworking approach fits in well with that line, while Nylander and Matthews create a dynamic 1-2 punch that can produce results, as we’ve seen throughout this season.
  • Babcock has been turning to Matthews, Hyman and Brian Boyle in crunch-time defensive zone situations. Boyle, known for his prowess in the face-off circle, delivered for the Leafs late and won a huge defensive zone draw against Henrik Zetterberg in the dying seconds of the game to seal the 3-2 victory.

    • Stat of the Night

    65-for-65

    It wasn’t a great night for Matthews, but he did keep his shot streak alive and remains the only player in the NHL to register at least one shot on net in every game this season.

    What’s Next

    The Maple Leafs will host the Philadelphia Flyers (30-26-8) on Thursday night at the Air Canada Centre. Don’t look now, but the Flyers are starting to play good hockey. Goaltender Steve Mason is red-hot and the Flyers have rode him to three victories during their last four games.

    Despite the Flyers hot play, though, this is a game the Leafs will without question need to win if they’re going to make a push for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

    Next: Silver Lining in the Leafs Missed Opportunities

    What did you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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