Toronto Maple Leafs squander two-goal lead in third period, fall to San Jose Sharks 3-2 in shootout
Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk falls as he chases a rebound in front of San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones during second-period NHL action in Toronto on Tuesday night. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Shutout hockey and the Maple Leafs haven’t been mentioned together for quite some time.
In fact, you’d have to flip the calendar back to last season to find a goose egg on the Leafs side of the ledger. Jonathan Bernier’s 38-save performance in a 1-0 win over Detroit on March 15 was one of three shutouts compiled by the former Leaf last campaign as Toronto put up four overall. Since then, the closest the Leafs have come is limiting the opposition to one goal on four occasions this season.
It looked like Frederik Andersen would finally get in on the fun against the visiting San Jose Sharks on Tuesday at the Air Canada Centre and notch his first shutout as a Leaf in what was surely one of the big Dane’s finest performances in a Leafs uniform.
But it all came unravelled with just more than seven minutes remaining in unlikely fashion, leading to a 3-2 shootout victory via shootout for San Jose.
Defenceman Justin Braun scored his first of the season on a backhander off a harmless rush, then Joe Pavelski tipped a Brent Burns slapper past Andersen two minutes later with Leafs defenceman Matt Hunwick in the penalty box, signalling the quick death of what was a 2-0 Leafs lead courtesy of what had been some energetic play up to that point by the hosts.
Toronto can point to a lack of discipline as the main culprit in a game Mike Babcock and the rest of the coaching staff might have difficulty critiquing beyond a few lapses in judgment.
The Leafs surrendered six man-advantages, none more costly than an interference call on Hunwick with the game on the line.
“I thought we did lots of really good things. Obviously, we took too many penalties,” Babcock said. “Part of it is just not continuing to play with your foot on the gas. Tonight, obviously taking the penalties hurt us, for sure. But I was pleased with our effort.”
Andersen finished with 40 saves and looked positionally sound throughout 65 minutes, highlighted by a leather-flasher glove save on a Couture backhand with the Leafs killing their second penalty of the game and again in the final period when he turned away Patrick Marleau at his doorstep.
It wasn’t enough to keep Toronto from falling to 0-4 in shootouts this season en route to their third consecutive defeat at home in the midst of a season-long five-game homestand that continues on Thursday with Auston Matthews’ hometown Arizona Coyotes in town.
“I think the third period we were waiting for them a little bit too much,” said Andersen, who came in with a sterling 5-3-1 record with a 1.89 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in his past nine starts. “It cost us. Once you get a lead in the third you’ve got to be able to close it out. We didn’t do that. (We’ve got to) be able to play harder for a full 60.”
The game was not without controversy as Toronto had a Morgan Rielly goal waved off in the second period when it was ruled Nazem Kadri interfered with San Jose goalie Martin Jones. Babcock threw up the challenge flag, but it was in vain.
“I wouldn’t have challenged it if I thought it was the right (call),” Babcock said.
Added Kadri: “I’m assuming (the referee) thought I touched the goaltender, but I thought originally he just made a mistake, because things happen quickly, but then when I checked the monitor I was shocked that they called it off. What are you going to do?”
Not to be overshadowed by the deflating loss was the play of rookie forward Zach Hyman, as well as several other youngsters who skated laps around some of the older Sharks players throughout much of the game.
Hyman scored his fifth goal of the season, his seventh even-strength point in a nine-game span after being stuck at one goal for what seemed like an eternity. More impressive was that it came one shift after returning to the ice following a stint in the dressing room to be looked at after fearlessly blocking a hard Brent Burns shot in the game’s opening minutes. Fellow rookie Matthews had a two-point night, potting his team-leading 13th goal on a two-man advantage in the second period, while William Nylander was a buzzsaw all night.
“We controlled most of the game, had a lot of quality scoring chances, managed the puck really well,” Kadri said. “It’s tough to have a call like that really decide the outcome. Not much you can do. I wasn’t real thrilled with the call. I think anyone who has any common sense probably knows that wasn’t a good goal. Not much you can do now.”
Babcock earlier in the day talked about the heavy workload he expects Andersen will be asked to carry the rest of the way this regular season — the goaltender is projected to make something in the vicinity of 64 starts. If there are more showings like this one from the 27-year-old off-season acquisition, the Leafs will clearly be in good hands.
The Leafs caught a break before the opening puck was dropped when all-world defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was ruled out of the lineup, having injured himself in Saturday’s win over Carolina.
Jones improved to a perfect 5-0 in his career against Toronto, while Andersen fell to 2-7 against last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, with six of those losses coming during his Anaheim Ducks days.
Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk falls as he chases a rebound in front of San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones during second-period NHL action in Toronto on Tuesday night. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
TORONTO — Shutout hockey and the Maple Leafs haven’t been mentioned together for quite some time.
In fact, you’d have to flip the calendar back to last season to find a goose egg on the Leafs side of the ledger. Jonathan Bernier’s 38-save performance in a 1-0 win over Detroit on March 15 was one of three shutouts compiled by the former Leaf last campaign as Toronto put up four overall. Since then, the closest the Leafs have come is limiting the opposition to one goal on four occasions this season.
It looked like Frederik Andersen would finally get in on the fun against the visiting San Jose Sharks on Tuesday at the Air Canada Centre and notch his first shutout as a Leaf in what was surely one of the big Dane’s finest performances in a Leafs uniform.
But it all came unravelled with just more than seven minutes remaining in unlikely fashion, leading to a 3-2 shootout victory via shootout for San Jose.
Defenceman Justin Braun scored his first of the season on a backhander off a harmless rush, then Joe Pavelski tipped a Brent Burns slapper past Andersen two minutes later with Leafs defenceman Matt Hunwick in the penalty box, signalling the quick death of what was a 2-0 Leafs lead courtesy of what had been some energetic play up to that point by the hosts.
Toronto can point to a lack of discipline as the main culprit in a game Mike Babcock and the rest of the coaching staff might have difficulty critiquing beyond a few lapses in judgment.
The Leafs surrendered six man-advantages, none more costly than an interference call on Hunwick with the game on the line.
“I thought we did lots of really good things. Obviously, we took too many penalties,” Babcock said. “Part of it is just not continuing to play with your foot on the gas. Tonight, obviously taking the penalties hurt us, for sure. But I was pleased with our effort.”
Andersen finished with 40 saves and looked positionally sound throughout 65 minutes, highlighted by a leather-flasher glove save on a Couture backhand with the Leafs killing their second penalty of the game and again in the final period when he turned away Patrick Marleau at his doorstep.
It wasn’t enough to keep Toronto from falling to 0-4 in shootouts this season en route to their third consecutive defeat at home in the midst of a season-long five-game homestand that continues on Thursday with Auston Matthews’ hometown Arizona Coyotes in town.
“I think the third period we were waiting for them a little bit too much,” said Andersen, who came in with a sterling 5-3-1 record with a 1.89 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in his past nine starts. “It cost us. Once you get a lead in the third you’ve got to be able to close it out. We didn’t do that. (We’ve got to) be able to play harder for a full 60.”
The game was not without controversy as Toronto had a Morgan Rielly goal waved off in the second period when it was ruled Nazem Kadri interfered with San Jose goalie Martin Jones. Babcock threw up the challenge flag, but it was in vain.
“I wouldn’t have challenged it if I thought it was the right (call),” Babcock said.
Added Kadri: “I’m assuming (the referee) thought I touched the goaltender, but I thought originally he just made a mistake, because things happen quickly, but then when I checked the monitor I was shocked that they called it off. What are you going to do?”
Not to be overshadowed by the deflating loss was the play of rookie forward Zach Hyman, as well as several other youngsters who skated laps around some of the older Sharks players throughout much of the game.
Hyman scored his fifth goal of the season, his seventh even-strength point in a nine-game span after being stuck at one goal for what seemed like an eternity. More impressive was that it came one shift after returning to the ice following a stint in the dressing room to be looked at after fearlessly blocking a hard Brent Burns shot in the game’s opening minutes. Fellow rookie Matthews had a two-point night, potting his team-leading 13th goal on a two-man advantage in the second period, while William Nylander was a buzzsaw all night.
“We controlled most of the game, had a lot of quality scoring chances, managed the puck really well,” Kadri said. “It’s tough to have a call like that really decide the outcome. Not much you can do. I wasn’t real thrilled with the call. I think anyone who has any common sense probably knows that wasn’t a good goal. Not much you can do now.”
Babcock earlier in the day talked about the heavy workload he expects Andersen will be asked to carry the rest of the way this regular season — the goaltender is projected to make something in the vicinity of 64 starts. If there are more showings like this one from the 27-year-old off-season acquisition, the Leafs will clearly be in good hands.
The Leafs caught a break before the opening puck was dropped when all-world defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic was ruled out of the lineup, having injured himself in Saturday’s win over Carolina.
Jones improved to a perfect 5-0 in his career against Toronto, while Andersen fell to 2-7 against last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, with six of those losses coming during his Anaheim Ducks days.
Today at 7:39 am by Rocky
» ͏MM&C 9/924 The parallel market will be upended.. Sources: Expected decisions from the Central B
Today at 7:38 am by Rocky
» utube 9/10/24 MM&C IQD Update-Iraq Dinar-#iraqidinar-#xrpIraq Reconciling-Unif
Today at 7:34 am by Rocky
» Iraq's "King of the Dollar" to the forefront and money smuggling under the American microscope
Today at 7:23 am by Rocky
» Dollar crisis: Changing exchange rates will create “huge problems” and smuggling is led by a “deep s
Today at 7:20 am by Rocky
» The government is looking for taxes but cannot find any.. Iraq will face financial pressure in 2025
Today at 7:18 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Electronic payment achieved 7 gains and prevented the smuggling of money outs
Today at 7:14 am by Rocky
» Baghdad and Erbil agree on several points regarding taxes, customs and salaries
Today at 7:12 am by Rocky
» Are the amendments to the Anti-Narcotics Law enough to curb the phenomenon?
Today at 7:10 am by Rocky
» Call to Break the Silence on Corruption: Separation of Powers and Promoting Human Rights
Today at 7:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary committee intends to submit its report on the government evaluation next week
Today at 7:08 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani's government faces a difficult test: Falling oil prices threaten to cut salaries
Today at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Iraqi state banks account for 88% of banking sector investments
Today at 7:04 am by Rocky
» Iraq's financial revenues exceed 77 trillion dinars in 7 months of 2024
Today at 7:02 am by Rocky
» Iraq: We closed 77 headquarters of the Iranian Kurdish opposition and handed over their weapons to t
Today at 7:01 am by Rocky
» "Currency Auction" .. Central Bank of Iraq's sales rise to more than $ 258 million
Today at 6:59 am by Rocky
» Investment Authority: Iraq’s entry into the New York and Singapore agreements achieves its transitio
Today at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Special for the Development Road.. Transportation: A ministerial meeting in Baghdad includes Iraq an
Today at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Minister of Electricity: Combined cycle projects will save the state $3 billion annually
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» The Gulf Cooperation Council confirms the continuation of the electrical interconnection project wit
Today at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Government stresses the importance of following up on the collection of electricity consumption fees
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Dana Gas: Pearl Petroleum sues Khor Mor field contractor for cost recovery
Today at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Chairman of the Integrity Commission: Iraq advances four ranks in the classification of the most cor
Today at 6:48 am by Rocky
» Rafidain Bank identifies three advantages of electronic payment systems
Today at 6:47 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Economic Observatory reveals the volume of Iraq's exports during the past month of August
Today at 6:45 am by Rocky
» During 2023.. Cryptocurrency fraud and scams increase by 45%
Today at 6:44 am by Rocky
» Iraq expects financial crisis in 2025 as oil prices fall
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» A source in the Iranian presidency reveals to “Al-Sabah” the agenda of Pezeshkian’s visit to Iraq
Today at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Residential lands for educators in developed and serviced areas
Today at 6:40 am by Rocky
» Government prepares to launch first digital knowledge platform
Today at 6:39 am by Rocky
» Masrour Barzani discusses joint cooperation with the Governor of the Central Bank
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» The Communications and Media Commission is looking into settling debts and fines owed by Korek Telec
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Pentagon: We continue security cooperation talks with Iraq
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Transparency International: We appreciate the Iraqi government's measures to combat corruption
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» The Companies Registration Department issues a notice to its auditors
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» US court orders Iraqi ports to pay $120 million to Cypriot company
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security Committee proposes two options to end the "Turkish incursion" and a proposal
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary letter to the US Embassy regarding personal status amendments: Do not interfere, "Your
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Defense and Foreign Ministry issue humanitarian appeal regarding remains of missing Kuwaitis
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Results of the meeting of the Ministerial Council for Economy in Erbil
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Economist blames central bank for dollar's rise: Confused decisions
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Kurdish proposal to end the "crisis" of Kurdistan employees' salaries initially
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Ministerial reshuffle: “non-serious” talk dependent on “appeasement”
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Labor completes procedures for launching the 43rd batch of soft loans
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» The Collapse Has Begun... 8 Revelations About the Truth About Iraq's Economy
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Coordination Framework: We strongly support the government and Al-Sudani, and his success is our suc
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Parliamentarian: The Parliamentary Evaluation Committee completed its report and determined who dese
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Barzani to US Ambassador: Erbil-Baghdad talks are going very positively
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Integrity: 5 severe prison sentences issued to the director of a government bank in Diyala
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Conflicts over ending the international coalition’s missions in Iraq.. Will Washington’s forces with
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Civil Status suspends electronic reservation system to obtain national card
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Minister of Electricity stresses the importance of following up on the collection of consumption fee
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Including stores, shops, pharmacies, clinics and all civil activities in electronic payment
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Has the Kurdistan Regional Government agreed with Baghdad on the distribution of salaries?
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: Iraq has made very big strides in the field of building democracy an
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: Iraq has made very big strides in the field of building democracy an
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» The President of the Supreme Judicial Council receives the international investigation team UNITAD
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» 7 real gains achieved after the entry into force of electronic payment
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Hours and he will land in Baghdad.. What files does Pezeshkian carry on his first foreign visit as p
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» At the top of which are economic projects in Basra.. Iranian ambassador reveals the agenda of Pezesh
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» The rise in the dollar exchange rate in Iraq.. This is the list
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» After the recent agreements... Is America serious about ending the military presence in Iraq?
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Failure to install meters.. Baghdad Council restores the monthly pricing system for generators
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission calls on Transparency International to open a branch in Iraq
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» 30 years of rule and influence.. The arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon is a “ser
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» utube 9/7/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar-#Iraqidinar-#XRP-Open MarkOperations-OMO-Currenc
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Expected Amendment: Framework Divided Over Future of Election Law
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq Deports UNITAD: The Hidden Conflict Between Justice and Politics
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» MP accuses foreign companies of polluting water and environment in Basra
Yesterday at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Leader in the framework: American attempts to obstruct the amendment of the Personal Status Law
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Rocky
» MP demands public trial for those accused of stealing the century
Yesterday at 6:44 am by Rocky
» Kirkuk: Vegetable and fruit traders complain about high prices due to Mosul and Khanaqin taxes
Yesterday at 6:42 am by Rocky
» The judiciary suspends 7 guarantors for the accused Nour Zuhair and Haitham Al-Jubouri and sets a ne
Yesterday at 6:40 am by Rocky
» We are heading towards financial fragility.. How did the new appointments affect the budget?
Yesterday at 6:39 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee reveals its efforts to increase non-oil revenues and activate collec
Yesterday at 6:38 am by Rocky
» Barzani to Al-Alaq: The number of registered individuals in the “My Account” banking project has exc
Yesterday at 6:36 am by Rocky
» Iraq cuts crude oil sales prices to Europe
Yesterday at 6:35 am by Rocky
» Communications: Significant increase in the index of booking postal boxes via the electronic platfor
Yesterday at 6:34 am by Rocky
» Government for all
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Our determination to build Iraq will not weaken
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Today.. Baghdad hosts a conference on oil projects
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Building 23 international schools in Babylon
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Launching the electronic payment service for import licenses
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Memorandum of Understanding between the Environment and the Region in the field of mines
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Anbaky announces tax exemptions for various groups
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Sound tax policy
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Investing in the country's geographical location is a starting point for achieving sustainable devel
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Agricultural Bank launches the service of obtaining loans through the electronic platform
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Communications and Media Commission: Launching the hashtag #PopulationCensus-PillarofDevelopment
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» In the presence of the Minister of Labor.. The Iraqi Economic Ministerial Council holds a meeting in
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Coordination Framework reveals developments in electing new parliament speaker
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» MP sets date for first Iraqi province to abandon imported electricity
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Council threatens "violators": Generator owners exploit citizens
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: Road and infrastructure services in Baghdad are not our responsibility and our proje
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Analysis: US press reports are a “maneuver” and messages to Iraqi factions
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary request to end the assignment of Al-Alaq and Al-Masoudi and re-draw the Hajj pilgrims
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Zidane discusses refugee rights with UNHCR
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Factions about Al-Sudani's government: supporters and backers
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» The President of the Supreme Judicial Council receives the UAE Ambassador
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky