Grounded

 Game 4: Jets vs. Leafs

Simon B

         The Leafs are coming off a split back to back in Ottawa where we saw 2 different versions of the team. Because fans are so used to inconsistency, they're always asking themselves: "What version of the team will we see tonight?" 

    Frederik Andersen has had poor starts in the past. There's a reason we call him "October-Freddy" (Meaning he's not playing well like he usually does in October). This year October-Freddy could become January-Freddy. After a shaky start in the first 2 games will this be prof he can change his early season woes. 

    Entering Monday night's clash, head coach Sheldon Keefe was forced to make a few lineup changes. Nick Robertson was injured last game so they needed to bring someone up from the taxi squad (This year only, a group of players travel with the team and are there in case of injury because there is no AHL season). To do so they needed to waive 2 roster players, Those two ended up being goalie Aaron Dell and forward Jason Spezza. Dell was claimed by the Devils before the noon deadline on Monday and Spezza was not claimed so he remained with the team. With that vacant spot, they brought in KHL defenceman of the year (2019-29 season) Mikko Lehtonen. 

   What About The Game?

    Keefe started this game by playing his top 2 lines a lot. They were both really good throughout the game. The Matthews line looked really hungry. Early in the first, the Jets' Kyle Connor crashed into Andersen creating a huge entanglement in the net. Every time a goalie goes down, you kind of hold your breath because freak injuries happen so often in those situations. He was fine though.  Justin Holl came in and defended his netminder by throwing a few punches at Connor. Both Holl and Conner went to the box for 2. Once again that third line with Hyman, Kerfoot, and Mikeyev was outstanding. Consistently having long shifts in the offensive zone. Andersen and Jets' goalie Connor Helleybuck were really good in the first and kept it scoreless after one. 

    At the start of the second period, the Tavares line kicked into high gear and dominated the ice when they were on it. A Jets hook gave the Leafs their first Power Play of the game. On the said man advantage, they were moving the puck around really well and they were using their net-front man (either Hyman or Simmonds) really effectively. With 5 seconds to go on the Power Play, William Nylander made Helleybuck commit to a shot and slid it right to Tavares' tape. The captain rips it into the gaping cage and it's 1-0 Leafs. They had a few penalties to kill in this one but it looked much better and Andersen made some timely saves when they were a man down. I was just thinking how Matthews and Marner were connecting well when Matthews enters the zone and instead of just dumping it in, he takes advantage of a tired Jets line to take the puck for a skate around the net. He passes to Justin Holl who sends a rocket to the net. It trickled out of Helleybuck's pads and Marner was there to collect the loose change and it's 2-0. Less than two minutes later, Winnipeg catches the Leafs flat-footed and Kyle Connor rips one off the post and in to bring the Jets back to within one.

    Another penalty against the Leafs to start the third but it was brilliantly killed off by Andersen. Tavares and Hyman were all over the ice at the beginning of the third. Hyman had so many opportunities I'm surprised he didn't have at least 2 goals. Around the mid-way point of the period, the Jets were gaining lots of momentum, and a lot like Saturday's game, the Leafs just needed to hold off a last-ditch effort by their opponents. Reilley took a late penalty and things were pointing to a tying goal by Winnipeg. Sheldon Keefe calls another perfectly-timed timeout and the Leafs kill it off. Once again with some great saves by Andersen. When the Jets pulled their goalie with under 2 and a half minutes to go, Toronto never let them really get set up and it ended with Marner icing the game with an empty-netter.

    The Wrap

    All in all, it was the type of game any coach would've been proud of. Structured defensively and putting pressure offensively. As a fan, I would've liked a few more goals but it's the Leafs so let's take the wins when we can. But my wish for more goals might be answered on Wednesday when Connor McDavid and the Oilers come to town.

    Thanks for reading! I'd love your comments and questions.

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