Leafs win 3-1 over the Minnesota Wild!
Two high-scoring, exciting teams facing off and you guessed it we get a defensive, tight game. After the first period, the shots were six to five in favor of the Wild with no goals on either side. While it was boring, this period was exactly what the leafs needed. During the three-game losing skid, it felt like nobody was playing well defensively, every shot was going in and the Leafs couldn’t catch a break. This period was the exact opposite. Everybody was chipping in defensively, Mrazek made a couple of good saves and they didn’t give up much. While the game did open up a bit more as the game progressed, it was still a tight defensive game.
Matthews scored twice last night with two fantastic plays. The first goal was scored just 35 seconds after the Wild took the 1-0 lead and it was an absolute snipe. He used his curl and drag wrist shot and tucked it into the top shelf of the net. On the second goal, he makes a great play, stick lifting Brandon Duhaime, holding the puck onside and then sliding it to Marner, who gave it right back to Matthews to make it 2-1. With these two goals, Matthews is up to 36 goals on the season and is leading the Rocket Race. Matthews was all over the ice last night but the offence as a whole played well. While there was not a lot of offence produced the team defence was fantastic. The Leafs need more of this play in the future if they want success.
The defence was great last night, specifically Rasmus Sandin. Sandin made some good defensive plays as well as doing a good job jumping into the rush as well as pinching at the right time. The Leafs newest addition, Ilya Lyubushkin enables Sandin to do all this. This pairing, which right now, is the second pairing is a great fit for both players. Lyubushkin is responsible defensively and Sandin isn’t bad defensively and does well to jump up in the rush. This pairing reminds me of a lower-quality version of the Rielly – Brodie pairing. When Muzzin gets back which may be in the playoffs and if the Leafs got a right-shot, top-four defenseman that will be a spectacular third pairing.
Leafs Nation has been losing it over a slump both goalies have been having as of late. This game was exactly what Mrazek needed after a rough game in Montreal. While the defence was good, Mrazek still needed to come up big in this game. I don’t know how Mrazek does it sometimes, he flies around his crease and as a goalie, I’ll admit he makes me nervous. Mrazek is an aggressive, athletic goalie and we knew that. Hopefully, this is a start to a good string of starts for him.
Next up for the Leafs, the Detroit Red Wings on Hockey Night in Canada. Hopefully, this is a start to another winning streak and maybe a big start from Jack Campbell?