Reverse Retro

 Game 10: Leafs vs. Oilers

Simon B

    This is the first time this season that the Leafs have worn their new retro jerseys that the NHL brought in for this year. At first glance, I thought that the jerseys didn't look so good but when I actually saw the team play in them, I thought they looked much better. They're going to wear these jerseys 4 times this year. The next time will be February 22d.

    The only lineup changes were that Mikko Lehtonen was in for Travis Dermott and Pierre Engvall was on the fourth line to replace Travis Boyd. Toronto made history on Thursday when they became the first team to win three straight games in Alberta. 

    A major difference to start this game compared to the last one was that the Tavares line was up against the McDavid line and Matthews was placed against the Draisaitl line. Early on, Tyler Ennis put a shot on the net that looked like it was going to trickle through Andersen's pads but Mikko Lehtonen dove behind Freddy to keep it scoreless. Turns out, you can't save it with your hand if you're not a goalie so the Oilers had a penalty shot. That put Ennis versus Andersen, two former teammates. Ennis tried to bait Freddy into going right, but he missed wide and the game stayed scoreless. The Oilers were much quicker to start this game compared to the last and Toronto was getting outplayed. Halfway through the period, Dominik Kahun had a partial break where he had his shot blocked but he got his own rebound to put it up over Andersen who was already down. The Leafs showed a bit of pushback and on an offensive zone shift, John Tavares had a great battle in the slot to gain control and give it to Nylander, who calmly put it by Koskinen to tie things up. With less than 20 seconds to go in the period, McDavid was behind the Leaf net and played a great pass onto the tape of Josh Archibald who then gave Edmonton the lead going to the break. Those end-of-period goals are tough for any team to take but especially when they put you down a goal.

    The second period was complete madness: we saw a really sloppy start with the puck bouncing everywhere and both teams were all over the place defensively. Nylander took an interference penalty to give Edmonton the first power play of the game. Then McDavid did what he does best. He picked the puck up in his own end and deked through all four Maple Leafs then sniped it top shelf on a helpless Andersen. He scored the goal of the year against the Leafs last season and he may have just done it again. Auston Matthews needed to get in on the fun though. On a little give-and-go, Matthews took a Marner pass and put it in top-shelf on the tiniest angle ever to make it 3-2. This is what we came to see. I know most coaches like a sound defensive game but this is awesome! We saw the most talented players on the planet showing off their skill. Draisaitl went to the box for cross-checking to give Toronto the man advantage. On the power play, Mikko Lehtonen put one towards the net and it was tipped by John Tavares to a wide-open Zach Hyman. With Koskinen was out of position, Hyman had an empty net to tie things up. This was Mikko Lethonen's first NHL point and the way he's been playing and gaining confidence, I'm sure he'll have many more coming his way. 

    The first and second periods were completely different from each other. The third period started out with both teams trying not to allow the next goal instead of trying to score it. In past years, that type of play didn't favor Toronto at all. This year's group is a little more comfortable with it, though. This is due to the added veteran presence on the team. Around the mid-way mark of the period, I got that feeling I'm sure every Leafs fan knows too well: I could just picture the Leafs crumbling like they always do. Every shot looked like it would go in. Even though their defense looked really weak, Edmonton couldn't get one past Andersen (who was once again very solid). With a minute or so left, Edmonton had a two-on-one but Andersen got across to make an incredible same to keep the game tied and send it to overtime. Freddy got them the guaranteed point hands down.

    I knew this overtime was not going to last long. McDavid and Draisaitl versus Tavares and Nylander (I don't know why they didn't put Matthews in), it can't go too long with all that skill on the ice. 20 seconds in, Nylander had a break but was shut down trying to go five-hole. On the next Edmonton chance, Draisaitl gave it to McDavid who ended the game tipping it by Andersen and ending the Leafs' winning streak.

    I'm gonna look at the positives here. Montreal lost, meaning that the Leafs are still first in the division. They got a point, so they extended their lead on them. Toronto is now on a mini-break and they don't play until Thursday when they'll face Vancouver. This break could do them some good or could take them out of the rhythm of the season (like it did to Calgary when they came off their break and lost 3 straight). I'm going to do a little review on the first 10 games of the season for the 7-2-1 Leafs later this week, so be sure to stick around for that.

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

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