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I’m normally of the assumption {that a} loss is a loss, and on the finish of the season, followers will look again and see the variety of losses and the particular numbers will float away into the ether. But final night time’s loss was totally different. When a workforce places up 9 targets towards you and your goalies can’t preserve the puck out of the online, there can’t be any pleasure in “The 6ix,” as Drake would possibly notice.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ match towards the Buffalo Sabres had all of the makings of a high-scoring sport, and 12 targets is simply that. However, that 9 of these targets would come from the Sabres wasn’t anticipated. The workforce hoped for a rebound sport from its struggling goalie Ilya Samsonov. Unfortunately, they obtained simply the other.
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The ultimate rating was 9-3. Good on Buffalo for coming by for his or her coach Don Granato. The win got here simply two days after the Sabres had been booed and followers loudly referred to as for teaching modifications following the team’s disheartening 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Item One: The Game Couldn’t Have Started Worse for the Maple Leafs
The sport unfolded within the worst attainable approach for Samsonov when he let in a tender objective early. It saved getting worse till Samsonov was pulled as soon as once more after permitting 5 targets on 19 pictures. Now, he finds himself sinking deeper into his ongoing struggles, and the Maple Leafs have fallen deeper into their defensive failings.
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Martin Jones relieved Samsonov. However, he hadn’t learn the script Joseph Woll left that claims his job was to cease all the pieces and provides his workforce an opportunity for a comeback. Jones confronted comparable challenges. He, too, struggled. Allowing 4 targets on 15 pictures kind of erased the nice emotions he had constructed over his first three video games with the workforce.
Item Two: The Extent of the Goalie Melt-Down
The numbers present simply how difficult a sport it was for each Jones and Samsonov within the crease: Jones confronted 15 pictures, whereas Samsonov confronted 19. The drawback is (clearly) that it’s a comparatively low shot whole for the variety of targets scored. Jones allowed 4 targets on 15 pictures, leading to a save share (SV%) of 0.733. Samsonov allowed 5 targets on 19 pictures, with a barely greater save share of 0.737. Both goalies posted save percentages beneath 0.750, and on the night time – consider it or not – Samsonov was the higher goalie in line with the numbers.
Both goalies had been nearly equally in hassle. Jones performed 31:38, whereas Samsonov performed 28:12. However, after the sport, the questions Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confronted targeted on Samsonov. His post-game responses to the media had been sparse – go determine. He was transient and to the purpose by saying that the workforce needed to play higher in entrance of Samsonov to permit him to seek out his sport.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Woll Outplaying Samsonov to Become Starting Goalie
Specifically, he noted, “We need to help them through this.” About whether or not he plans to overview the sport movie, Keefe stated: “We won’t dissect it, but we won’t forget it.”
Item Three: Auston Matthews Scored Again
Auston Matthews, Calle Jarnkrok, and Max Domi discovered the again of the online for Toronto, contributing targets regardless of the workforce’s general challenges. The trio’s offensive success in the end fell in need of stopping their workforce from dropping its second sport in a row. That’s an uncommon dropping streak for the Blue & White.
Matthews now leads the NHL with 26 targets, adopted by Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks with 24 targets and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning with 23 targets. William Nylander prolonged his level streak to a powerful 10 video games.
Item Four: Timothy Liljegren Shines Despite Maple Leafs’ Loss
It’s simple sufficient to overlook one thing good in such a disappointing loss. However, defenseman Timothy Liljegren had a robust sport final night time. He recorded two assists and made an impression on each the facility play and penalty kill.
Related: Today in Hockey History: Dec. 22
The 24-year-old defenseman’s complete stat line for the sport was spectacular. He had 5 blocked pictures, threw three pictures on internet, recorded two hits, and had a minus-1 ranking (though his workforce misplaced by six targets). For followers, it’s good to see Liljegren again taking part in – and doing it so properly.
The sport was Liljegren’s first multiple-point sport of the season. He does have the flexibility to contribute offensively from the blue line. Despite simply getting back from lacking six weeks with an ankle harm, Liljegren’s sport has been stable for the Maple Leafs.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
Before the workforce’s two losses this week, they’d been on a powerful streak, going 6-0-3 in 9 video games. The Maple Leafs’ two losses mark simply the second time this season that they’ve misplaced back-to-back video games in regulation.
Thinking positively, this current departure from their earlier robust efficiency underscores the aggressive nature of the NHL and the challenges groups face in sustaining constant success. The league is aggressive. The workforce ought to count on some losses. What occurs subsequent is the largest problem.
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