Instant Reaction: Hildeby’s sensational effort not enough, Leafs fall 2-1 to Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens finally exorcised their demons in Toronto, defeating the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout.
Caufield opened the scoring in the second period on a back-door feed on the power play, as Simon Benoit was late to close a gap. Hildeby did everything he could to keep the Maple Leafs in this game, and looks like he’s going to be more than capable to carry the load while the starting tandem recovers from injury.
LAUGHTON TIES IT UP!!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
Something needs to give with the Maple Leafs’ power play, as once again it was a quiet night with the man advantage, going 0-for-3. Oliver Ekman-Larsson ran the point, and a big chunk of the play was sifting through Easton Cowan, but unfortunately for the Leafs, a lot of permitter play and not enough of a simple approach, as they couldn’t get one past Canadiens’ goaltender Jakub Dobes.
It just seemed like the Leafs were a little ‘off’ against Montreal, who snapped an 11-game losing streak in Toronto. The Leafs constantly missed the net when they’d finally get a good look, including multiple in overtime, pucks frequently bounced off sticks, it was frustrating to say the very least. Regardless, not every game is going to be pretty and the team showed some character grinding out a point against the Habs.
The Maple Leafs now turn their attention to the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning, who they host on Monday night. Look for the Leafs to do a better job of getting pucks on net, early and often against Tampa.