The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t show up until too late against the Vegas Golden Knights on the road. Despite a solid game from Auston Matthews, the result was a tough 5-2 loss. The Maple Leafs captain extended his point streak to 11 games. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs were outmatched from the start, and that slow start cost them dearly.
Chalk this Maple Leafs loss up to defensive struggles. The Golden Knights dominated early and often, with goals from Tomas Hertl, Brett Howden, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, and Tanner Pearson. The Maple Leafs gave up five odd-man rushes in the first period alone, spelling Joseph Woll’s demise. He was pulled after giving up three goals on seven shots, with Anthony Stolarz stepping in to stop 16 of 18.
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After digging an early hole, Toronto finally got on the score sheet with power-play goals from Matthews and Mitch Marner. But, as a team, Toronto couldn’t generate enough momentum to mount a comeback. Vegas goalie Adin Hill was solid in net for the Golden Knights, making 29 saves, including 16 in the first period. And the Golden Knights’ balanced play was too much for Toronto. After this embarrassment, the Maple Leafs must solidify their defence before their next game.
Item One: Goalie Woes Doom Leafs in 5-2 Loss to Golden Knights
Just yesterday, I lauded the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation this season. The hockey gods were offended because Woll allowed three goals on seven shots before being pulled less than 15 minutes into the first period. His rough outing included a power-play goal from Jack Eichel, leaving the Maple Leafs with too big a deficit to overcome. Despite solid play in his previous games, Woll couldn’t stop the Vegas blitz and ultimately got the hook in favour of Stolarz. Head coach Craig Berube didn’t fault Woll on the night, but the numbers don’t look good for the youngster.
In total, Stolarz stopped 16 of 18 shots. However, he also gave up two quick goals in the second period, further digging the team into a hole they couldn’t scramble out of. Although he was solid in the end, Stolarz’s efforts did little to change the course of the game. Despite his strong play since joining the Maple Leafs, neither goalie was a clear winner in the who-should-be-the-starter contest last night.
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