On Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs received a vital 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders, shifting them right into a tie with the idle Florida Panthers for the highest spot within the Atlantic Division. David Kämpf, Steven Lorentz, and John Tavares scored to energy the Maple Leafs to their twenty third win. Toronto’s goaltender Joseph Woll had an excellent sport with 30 saves, holding the Islanders from scoring regardless of the group’s pushback.
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Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the Islanders’ lone aim, whereas Ilya Sorokin recorded 22 saves within the loss. New York’s struggles with particular groups endured. They did not capitalize on their lone power-play alternative and now have the league-worst 11.5% power-play conversion price.
Merchandise One: Joseph Woll’s In-Recreation Efficiency vs. Islanders
Woll made 30 saves within the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 win. His play was essential in guaranteeing the win. There was a tense second within the second interval when he appeared to tweak one thing throughout a fast butterfly maneuver, however he remained within the sport with out challenge.
Woll’s key play of the sport got here late within the third interval when he stopped Brock Nelson on a shorthanded breakaway, preserving Toronto’s lead. His well timed saves had been pivotal in closing the sport earlier than the Maple Leafs added an empty-netter to seal the win.
Merchandise Two: William Nylander Picks Up Two Extra Assists
William Nylander’s sturdy season is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down. He registered two assists, together with one on the ability play, within the win. He was again on the scoresheet after a uncommon scoreless sport on Saturday when Nylander snapped his eight-game, 13-point scoring streak.
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Regardless of not scoring a aim in his final 4 video games, Nylander stays one of many league’s elite offensive stars. His 23 targets put him within the NHL’s prime 5 scorers this season, whereas his 20 assists and 43 complete factors underline a tweak in his sport. He’s grow to be a extra constant playmaker. He’s significantly harmful with the person benefit and has put up 19 power-play factors (seven targets, 12 assists).
Nylander has grow to be a cornerstone of the Maple Leafs’ offensive success this season. He constantly produces factors as Toronto tries to carry the highest spot within the Atlantic Division.
Merchandise Three: Steven Lorentz Breaks Scoring Drought with Recreation-Winner
Steven Lorentz ended a 23-game aim drought by scoring the game-winning aim towards the Islanders. The 28-year-old fourth-line middle capitalized within the second interval, pushing Toronto forward in a good contest. His capacity to carry power each sport makes him an asset for the Maple Leafs. The aim is a bonus.
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Identified extra for his physicality than his scoring contact, Lorentz’s rating was a uncommon offensive spotlight. In 38 video games, he now has 4 targets and three assists. Nonetheless, he’s a kind of unsung heroes who makes the fourth line viable.
Merchandise 4: David Kämpf Strikes Once more with Key Opening Purpose
David Kämpf continued his latest scoring by netting his second aim in three video games on Tuesday. Late within the first interval, Kämpf slid alone into the slot and one-timed an ideal feed from Nylander previous Sorokin’s glove, giving Toronto an early lead.
Whereas Kämpf has proven flashes of offence, with two targets in his final three video games, his position stays extra of a shutdown stalwart. Sometimes a defensively accountable ahead somewhat than a top-six scorer, Kämpf’s latest success exhibits that he can capitalize on possibilities created by linemates like Nylander. Regardless of the circumstance, his secondary scoring boosts the Maple Leafs’ success.
Merchandise 5: John Tavares Extends Level Streak with Energy-Play Purpose
John Tavares continued his exceptional run on Tuesday, scoring a late power-play aim. The aim, an empty-netter within the ultimate minute, prolonged his level streak to eight video games, throughout which he’s amassed seven targets and 6 assists.
Now, 37 video games into the season, Tavares exhibits no indicators of slowing down, boasting 19 targets and 38 factors. His 17.1% capturing proportion is considerably above his profession common of 13.0%, evoking reminiscences of his 47-goal season in 2018-19 when he transformed at 16.4%. With Auston Matthews sidelined on account of an upper-body damage, Tavares continues to shine in a main position, anchoring the group’s offence and proving he’s nonetheless a power.
Merchandise Six: Ryan Reaves Contributes an Help Towards the Isles
Ryan Reaves made his presence felt within the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 win by recording an help and delivering six hits. The veteran arrange Lorentz’s game-winning aim. It was Reaves’ first level in 11 video games. Whereas his offensive output stays restricted, with solely two assists in 25 video games this season, his bodily play stays his hallmark. With 81 hits, the 37-year-old brings toughness and power to Toronto’s lineup.
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The query is whether or not Reaves will keep within the lineup when Matthews (higher physique) or Pontus Holmberg (sickness) return. Nonetheless, he’s there to fill in for damage or when physicality is required.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
Tuesday’s win was the fifth straight sport Matthews missed on account of an upper-body damage. The excellent news is that he returned to follow earlier this week. The group is now 2-3-0 throughout his newest absence. Regardless of battling a number of roster challenges, together with diseases sidelining Holmberg and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Toronto carried dwelling the hard-fought sport.
The groups will meet once more on Thursday within the second leg of a home-and-home sequence.
