The Toronto Maple Leafs had a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, grabbing two critical points on their three-game California road trip. Several key Maple Leafs players stepped up, overcoming a two-goal deficit to clinch the victory with a tie-breaking goal from Steven Lorentz.
Max Domi stole the spotlight early with a highlight-reel goal that had Maple Leafs fans wondering if his “can’t shoot well” tag makes sense. Domi broke in on the Ducks goalie after undressing and skating around Radko Gudas. Using a slick drag move to open the space, he then finished with a perfectly-placed backhand shot from in front of the crease.
This goal, made even sweeter by the ongoing rivalry between Domi and Gudas, gave the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead. As the team pushes for the postseason, getting Domi’s playmaking skills untracked will be crucial to their success.
Item 2: Mitch Marner’s Breakaway Beauty Pushes Him Closer to the Century Mark
Mitch Marner pushed the Maple Leafs’ lead to 2-0 in the second period with a beautiful breakaway goal. It had to be a frustrating game for Gudas. Once again, as Domi did for the team’s first goal, Marner used his speed and agility to evade the Ducks’ defenceman. He then finished with a skillful forehand-to-backhand shot.
Marner has (or at least during the regular season, some fans would argue) the ability to capitalize on high-pressure chances. With 91 points on the season, he’s quickly closing in on 100. This season, he’s shown again that he’s one of the most dangerous players in the league. Now the question is whether Marner can continue scoring during the playoffs. That could be the tipping point for the team’s success if he can.
Item 3: Auston Matthews Has a Close Call with an Errant Skate Blade
The game had one almost-terrifying moment in the second period when Auston Matthews experienced a close call and avoided a serious injury. When an opposing player fell to the ice and flailed their legs, a skate blade came dangerously close to Matthews’ visor. It missed his eye by inches.
Thankfully, Matthews escaped serious harm and played almost as if nothing had happened. The truth is that close calls like this likely happen several times during a game. They serve as a sobering reminder of the risks in hockey, particularly regarding head and eye safety. Matthews was amazingly lucky.
Item 4: Joseph Woll Puts up a Bounce-Back Game
Joseph Woll had a strong game against Anaheim last night. He stopped 28 shots and played with confidence all game long. After struggling in recent games, Woll’s bounce-back was a confidence-builder for the Maple Leafs as they enter the final playoff push.
When he’s on, Woll’s composure is apparent. He was on last night. His key saves helped the Maple Leafs control the game, even when it was tied and the Ducks pushed to gain momentum. Woll’s ability to rebound from adversity strengthens the Maple Leafs’ goaltending. The team is fortunate to have two reliable choices in net with Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs travel home to focus on a key game against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night. Right now, the Maple Leafs’ fate is in their own hands. They are three points up on both Florida teams, but they have played one game more.
Wednesday’s game could significantly affect their position in the Atlantic Division. With Florida losing to Montreal, they’ll look to close the standings gap. The Maple Leafs can extend that margin with a win. They have shown recent promise, but some areas need improvement. The team needs more depth scoring and defensive consistency to put together a strong finish to the regular season.
