Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs’ spirited 6-4 victory overshadowed by Matthews’ injury
Toronto defeated a very solid Anaheim Ducks team 6-4 on Thursday, to end its eight-game losing streak. It came at a serious cost, however.
Shortly after Auston Matthews snapped out of his 12-game goalless drought, Ducks defenceman Radko Gudas delivered a dirty knee-on-knee hit. Gudas was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct in the second period, after he laid a vicious knee to Matthews’ left leg. None of Matthews’ teammates rushed to his defence, making matters worse. When you’re this low in the standings and the season is approaching rock bottom, at least stick up for each other, and show some camaraderie. It was a tough scene all around.
Seeing the Leafs’ captain in so much pain with absolutely no immediate pushback was hard to watch, but you have to give the Leafs credit for their passionate third period. They showed a ton of grit, started throwing the body around, and it led to finding the back of the net. While they didn’t react in the moment once their captain went down, the Leafs showed some guts in the third, and hopefully that can carry on throughout the rest of the season.
Michael Pezzetta dropped the gloves off the opening faceoff in his Maple Leafs debut. While it didn’t spark the Leafs initially, as they gave up a two-on-one on the very next shift, it was a great moment for the Toronto native in front of family and friends. Considering how frustrating this season has been, it nice to cling onto feel-good moments down the stretch. Pezzetta brought his lunch-box mentality to the Leafs’ fourth line, banging and crashing throughout his debut. Don’t be surprised to see Craig Berube get Pezzetta back into the lineup this weekend.
Bo Groulx scored his first as a Maple Leaf in the third, to stretch the lead to 5-3, thanks to an Erik Karlsson-type sauce pass from Brandon Carlo. After Nick Robertson was laid out by Ducks defenceman Jackson Lacombe, Easton Cowan dropped the gloves immediately and jumped Lacombe. Again, the Matthews incident was brutal in every aspect, but it was great to see some serious pushback to finish the game. Matthew Knies finished the night with a goal, and three assists.
Toronto finally found the win column on home ice, securing two points at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since January 10. Regardless of the newfound positive vibes heading into a busy weekend, Matthews’ left leg is the only thing Leafs Nation should be concerned about right now.
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