Last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs were back in action to take on the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena. It was a very up and down game that saw them stick with it and grind out a 4-3 win. Unfortunately, it was a game that many fans would have liked to see them lose. But it is nice to see that the players are fighting until the end and not purposely trying to throw games.
With their win over the Rangers, it has officially eliminated New York from playoff contention and strengthened their odds of landing the first overall pick. As for the Maple Leafs, they gain two points but luckily for them, the outcome of the top-five pick is determined by the draft lottery and not final season standings.Â
Woll Was a Brick Wall
The biggest reason the Maple Leafs won this game was Joseph Woll. The Rangers tried their hardest to get another one past him to tie the game but he stood tall. They put a lot of pucks on net last night, registering 43 shots, with Woll stopping 40 of them.
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He was especially good in the first two periods when the Rangers pushed hard. He even managed to get himself on the scoresheet with an assist on Dakota Joshua’s goal, which was actually Woll’s first career NHL point.
Dakota Joshua is Heating Up
Joshua is starting to look like the player Toronto expected him to be when they brought him in. He had a massive night with a goal and an assist. He is playing a heavy, physical game, but he is also finding the back of the net, which is exactly what the team needs with Auston Matthews out of the lineup.
His goal in the second period gave the Maple Leafs a 3-0 lead. Even though the Rangers tried to claw back, Joshua’s impact was felt all over the ice. He is using his size to cause problems in front of the net, and it is paying off at the right time
Tavares Comes Through Late
Even after Toronto built a 3-0 lead, they let the Rangers come back into the game, who made it extremely close at 3-2. Which is when John Tavares took over. He scored a huge goal on a very nice shot from the hashmarks to beat Igor Shesterkin over the right shoulder, late in the third period to push the lead to 4-2.
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That goal turned out to be the game-winner, as the Rangers scored one more just moments after to cut the lead to one. It was nice to see for Tavares, who hasn’t had the easiest season, but never seems to give up. It wasn’t the prettiest win, especially since the Maple Leafs were outshot 43-18, but they found a way to get it done.
Whats Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs head back out on the road after their brief stop at home last night. They face off against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night’s Hockey Night in Canada. After that, they head to California to take on the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings, next week.
