The Toronto Maple Leafs endured a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in a playoff-type video game on Thursday evening. Ilya Samsonov made 31 conserves for Toronto, that took a 1-0 introduce the 3rd duration on Sam Lafferty’s second-period objective.
Despite the loss, Toronto head trainer Sheldon Keefe applauded his group’s initiative, claiming they played unbelievably difficult. The video game was limited throughout, with the groups fighting hard.
Takeaway One: Both Teams Played Tight, Playoff-Style Hockey
Toronto opened up the racking up with simply under 10 mins left in the 2nd duration when Zach Aston-Reese terminated a shot from simply inside heaven line, which was dispersed in by Lafferty for his 12th objective of the period. Boston reacted with simply over 8 mins left in law when Charlie Coyle scored his 14th objective of the project, connecting the video game at 1-1.
The video game stayed linked with completion of law, yet Boston at some point won in overtime many thanks to an objective by David Pastrnak equally as a Bruins’ power play finished. Despite the loss, the Maple Leafs’ solid efficiency versus a difficult challenger when driving was motivating.
Both groups looked to remain in playoff setting.
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Takeaway Two: Ilya Samsonov Was Strong in the Maple Leafs Net
Ilya Samsonov began Thursday’s video game versus the Bruins.It was his 3rd video game versus theBruins this period, and also he had actually permitted 6 objectives in the previous 2 video games. However, last evening he was amazing.
Although he was racked up on in the overtime session, that rack up came with the tail end of a Bruins power play. The Bruins made a solid play to press in the winning objective.
Still, in his protection, Samsonov remained in a great setting all video game long and also looked solid. By the moment the video game had actually finished, Samsonov made 31 conserves. The long and also short of it is that he was superb in this video game; and also, in spite of the loss, he stood high versus the very best group in the NHL.
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Takeaway Three: The Maple Leafs Fourth Line Was Their Best in the Game
The Maple Leafs’ 4th line of David Kampf, Zach Aston-Reese, and also Sam Lafferty was the standout line of the video game. They have actually been playing continually well for numerous video games currently. The team plays hard, and also quickly. They are likewise solid defensively.
For the previous couple of video games, they have actually also taken care of to supply additional racking up. Last evening’s video game was limited defensively, yet the Maple Leafs 4th line was able to create the only crime the group obtained.
The 4th line is developing an identification. They stress the puck, play wise hockey, and also have actually developed excellent chemistry. They development the puck swiftly, taxed challengers, obtain the puck to the internet, and also are awarded for it in their very own blue-collar means. Because they are excellent protectors, they have actually made trainer Sheldon Keefe’s self-confidence that they will certainly either do good ideas or protect against poor from occurring when they get on the ice.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Ryan O’Reilly Ready to Return Tonight vs Bruins
Takeaway Three: Ryan O’Reilly Is One Incredibly Professional Hockey Player
Thursday evening was Ryan O’Reilly’s very first video game back after being out with his damaged finger and also surgical treatment. In his very first video game, he played 17:03 mins. He took 8 faceoffs, winning 5 of them. Although he really did not make it onto the scoreboard, barely any individual else did either. It simply had not been that type of a video game.
That claimed, O’Reilly was involved and also fought throughout the video game. He played specialist, wise hockey. Even much better, he made it with the whole video game without intensifying his injury. Even after his pause, his timing looked force of habit.
O’Reilly is merely a smart gamer. He relocates himself and also the puck in excellent places on the ice. It was excellent to have him back. As trainer Keefe kept in mind, O’Reilly is one of the most singing gamer unemployed. He talks continuous. His management and also interaction abilities make a huge distinction on the Maple Leafs’ lineup.
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