Despite having a depleted lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs managed to mix and match their way to a 4-1 win over the previously-hot St. Louis Blues. The Maple Leafs played strong defensively, limiting their opponent’s scoring opportunities. Their strong play gave a solid Ilya Samsonov an easier night in the crease. Together, the strong goalie play, the team’s shutdown defense, and the hat trick from surprise starter Bobby McMann proved to be enough on this surprising night.
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With their win, the Maple Leafs overcame challenges posed by the suspension of defenseman Morgan Rielly and the illness of Mitch Marner and John Tavares. In their absence, several players stepped up to pull the team to the win. Aside from McMann’s scoring, Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Robertson, and Max Domi played well and made significant contributions to the team’s performance.
Item One: Bobby McMann Lights Up the Ice with Hat Trick Against Blues
In a stunning performance, McMann stole the spotlight by scoring three goals in the victory. The 27-year-old winger, who had only scored two NHL goals before last night’s game, showed up strong.
Despite limited ice time of just 13 minutes and 30 seconds, McMann put an impressive six shots on the goal. He also delivered five hits and earned a plus-3 rating. His hat trick began early in the first period and continued with two goals in the third period. His last empty-netter was sheer luck, but I can’t imagine he’s refusing it.
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Can McMann’s first NHL hat trick help solidify his place as a key player for the Maple Leafs? I’ve been hoping the youngster would have a chance to get more playing time as I think he can be a bottom-six regular. His strong performance should at least give him a chance to get more ice time. For me, the bottom line should be for the Maple Leafs to fill their holes from within the organization and not through another trade.
Item Two: Ilya Samsonov Solid in the Crease in Maple Leafs’ Victory
Ilya Samsonov was on his game once again and although he wasn’t that busy, he still stopped the puck when he needed to. The 26-year-old was solid, making 14 crucial saves, and despite facing a relatively-low number of shots, he remained fresh, ready, and able to show his composure and skill when he needed to. He conceded a single goal in the second period, but it came…
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