Toronto Maple Leafs end losing skid against Pittsburgh Penguins

The Toronto Maple Leafs ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Air Canada Centre Saturday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 5-2 win over the Penguins on Saturday night was a special one. The victory saw them break a franchise record for consecutive wins at home, registering their 10th in a row.

The four-game losing streak the team suffered heading into this game all came on the road.

Goals from Nazem Kadri (two), Mitch Marner, Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen highlighted a game where goaltending was the real difference between the two teams.

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In net for the Leafs was Frederik Andersen, who has been under the spotlight in recent games due to a perceived tiredness leading to mistakes and dropped points.

For the Penguins, backup goalie Tristan Jarry started while number one Matt Murray remains sidelined with an injury.

The Leafs jumped on their goalscoring chances against the 22-year-old Jarry, which eventually saw the 2013 second-round pick pulled in favour for third-string choice Casey DeSmith after the Leafs scored four goals on just 16 shots.

The Leafs were greatly outshot in this game, seeing Andersen save 38 of 40 shots he faced compared to the 25 the Penguins’ goaltenders faced.

But it wasn’t just the solid goaltending that was highlighted in this game, although the goalies were once again involved in a heated discussion following the game.

With the score sitting at 3-0 to the Leafs in the second period, Brian Dumoulin appeared to have finally broken through for the Penguins before the referees sent the defenceman to the penalty box for goaltender interference.

Dumoulin was no doubt angered by the call, believing he had scored a clean goal:

However, the referees called the play dead before the puck had passed the goal line, meaning the Penguins were unable to challenge the call on the ice.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan seemed to share his defenceman’s view of the call, appearing to shout ‘you’re awful’ to the referees after Marner scored the Leafs’ fourth goal on the ensuing power play.

Following the controversial call, the Leafs held on and saw out the game despite seeing the Penguins score two very late goals in the third period.

Marleau ensured the victory was without a doubt, scoring an empty net goal after first looking to see if Kadri was free to pick up a hat-trick.

Next: Maple Leafs and the effects of fatigue

What did you think of the Leafs’ victory over the Penguins? Do you agree with the refs on the goaltender interference call? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!