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A dismal power play sets the tone, Woll left alone on an island

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A dismal power play sets the tone, Woll left alone on an island

3 takeaways from Leafs-Blues: A dismal power play sets the tone, Woll left alone on an island

There’s nothing to play for but pride, but the Toronto Maple Leafs submitted another dismal showing, falling 5-1 to the St. Louis Blues. Joseph Woll was Toronto’s best player by a massive margin, registering 33 saves. Jake McCabe scored five minutes into the third period to cut the deficit, but the Maple Leafs’ anemic offensive performance was the story of the game.

Jimmy Snuggerud and Justin Holl both scored for the Blues during the second period, before Pius Suter, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg added third-period markers. Holl’s goal stood as the game-winner, perhaps adding insult to injury given the way his Leafs’ tenure ended.

Here are three takeaways from the Leafs’ loss to the Blues:

Maple Leafs squander four-minute advantage with dismal showing in 1st period

Toronto could not generate any meaningful offence whatsoever, dumping the puck in aimlessly for countless one-and-done possessions. During one of its rare meaningful possessions, Jacob Quillan went to work in the corners and drew a double-minor for high-sticking on Jack Finley. It was the function of diligent forechecking, but Quillan’s efforts went unrewarded.

The power play was anemic and disorganized, failing to register a single shot during the four-minute advantage. The puck movement was delayed, and the entries (which have consisted of a telegraphed drop pass to one of Morgan Rielly or Oliver Ekman-Larsson) were predictable. Without Auston Matthews, William Nylander was the lone credible shooting threat from the circles, but he was disengaged from the contest entirely, failing to record a shot.

Marc Savard may have been fired before the Christmas break, but this was worst showing from the power play under Steve Sullivan’s tutelage, especially given that the game was for the taking in the first period.

That is arguably the worst sequence from the Leafs’ power play under Steve Sullivan’s watch. And that may be what some are looking for, in a race to the bottom. No creativity on entries, no credible shooting threat from the circles, no plan of action. Squandered all four minutes.

Jacob Quillan records 1st career point, Jake McCabe’s offensive surge continues

OK, so we don’t want to become submersed in negativity, even if this has been a nightmare season for the Maple Leafs. Jacob Quillan recorded his first NHL point, setting up Jake McCabe in the third period. Quillan was engaged on the forecheck, he’s clearly auditioning for a larger role in the NHL next season, and his speed and tenacity was evident throughout the game.

McCabe was arguably Toronto’s best skater in Thursday’s win against the New York Rangers, and took a much larger role offensively for the second consecutive contest. He registered a team-high four shots and was easily the Maple Leafs’ best skater. It’ll be compelling to see if the rest of the team follows in McCabe’s lead, as he’s clearly not giving up on a lost year.

Joseph Woll was Maple Leafs’ best player by several miles

Joseph Woll continues to be the Maple Leafs’ best player down the stretch. Woll isn’t getting any real run support, but he’s firmly established himself as the team’s No. 1 goaltender this season. Without Woll, this could’ve been a much uglier scoreline, although his underlying numbers were distorted after a pair of third period goals.

“We had one player show up tonight, and that was our goalie. That’s really what it boils down to,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said post-game.

It’s a shame that Woll didn’t get any help from his teammates, perhaps McCabe aside. Woll stared for the St. Louis Blues AAA program in the youth circuit, before he joined the U.S. National Development Team Program. He was certainly looking forward to shine against his boyhood club, and he was one of the few Leafs players who submitted a passable effort.

Joseph Woll is the first Maple Leafs goaltender to face 30+ shots on goal in 8 straight appearances since Frederik Andersen from Dec 2017-Jan 2018

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