A game of Bounces

Game 5: Oilers vs. Leafs

Simon B

    The Oilers and the Leafs. Two of the most offensively talented teams in the NHL. On one side Connor McDavid, the best player on the planet and a guy who has arguably the most insane amount of skill ever seen in the history of the sport. On the other, Auston Matthews, one of the best goal-scorers in the league and certainly in the North Division. As a fan, I came into this game hoping for open ice, lots of goals, and an awesome display of talent. But both teams had different ideas. 

    The Oilers lost two straight to the Habs and they did not look very good in either of those games. The Leafs have one-two straight and had an almost perfect game Monday against the Jets. 

    The Game

In the first shift of the game, both coaches put their star players against each other. McDavid and Matthews lined up head to head. This means that the other big offensive threat for the Oilers, Leon Drailsaitl, would be facing off against the Tavares line. Knowing that both of these teams can easily punish you if they're given even a little bit of space, there was almost no room in the neutral zone. They were all playing with the don't-make-mistakes mentality. During the first ten minutes of the game, there were not many whistles which allowed both coaches to roll out all their lines as they pleased. Just past the half-way mark of the period, Kailer Yamamoto tried centering to Leon Draistaitl in front. Toronto's Jimmy Vesey intercepted and tried clearing the puck but it hits off of Jake Muzzin's skate and goes in to give Edmonton a 1-0 lead. Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe wanted to pick up the pace a bit so he started putting out his "money-line" with Tavares, Matthews, and Marner. They were able to draw a penalty on Darnell Nurse. On the Power Play, new-leaf Mikko Lehtonen was part of the second unit and he looked really comfortable in that spot. (probably because that was his role back in Europe last season). Nothing on the man advantage and the period ended 1-0.

    Having 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, Keefe had to play musical chairs with his bottom two lines. Kerfoot, Vesey, Hyman, Simmonds, and Mikheyev all had turns on different lines than they are used to. I give them credit though because they played well no matter the line. Both teams were still hesitant to give each other space but Toronto seemed like the more urgent team. Defensive pairings were played with a little on the Leafs side of the ice with Bogosian getting some time with Lehtonen. Toronto did get into penalty trouble but Ilya Mikeyev looked like a beast on the Penalty Kill. I say it's the Souper-man powers. (For those who don't know, when Mikheyev arrived in Canada from Russia, reporters asked him to say a bit about himself. Knowing little English, he said: "I like soup". Since he's been getting a bunch of endorses with soup companies.) Late in the period, McDavid took a penalty took a hooking penalty and on that Power Play, the Leafs were buzzing. Matthews was absolutely ROBBED by Mikko Koskinen and Freddy Andersen made a few perfect stretch-passes to spring Matthews and Tavares while the Oilers were changing. The game, however, stayed 1-0.

    Early in the third period, Josh Archibald of the Oilers checked Joe Thornton into the boards awkwardly and Thornton headed to the bench in visible pain. It looked like he was holding his wrist. He left the game and did not return. Edmonton really tightened things up and the Leafs were struggling to get any momentum. Just as I finished writing that remark down though, Auston Matthews was able to find the tiniest hole left by Koskinen as he was hugging the post and the Leafs tied it up. So far, it was a tight game with 2 greasy goals. Not the expected result at all. Then the game hit its turning point. The ref made a terrible call (I'm not being biased at all, even the broadcast mentioned how obvious it was) on Jake Muzzin to put the Leafs down a man. On this Power Play, Leon Draisailt tapped on into a half-empty cage off of a bad rebound, and the Oilers lead 2-1. Toronto tried to pick up the pace and the defense was jumping into the rush. They pulled the goalie but at the time, the Leafs didn't have possession and Josh Archibald iced the game away.

The Wrap

Nothing like we expected at all. Both teams deserved to win that one but the Oilers just had the bounces go their way. Lots of positives to take away from this game though. Andersen looked good again, Mikheyev had an excellent game as well, and the defense was really tight. A rematch is set for Friday in Toronto. We'll just have to wait and see if luck goes Toronto's way next time out.

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

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