2 take maple leaves ‘3-2 ot loss to blue jackets – hockey writers – toronto maple leaves
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Columbus Blue Jackets in their last home game until December 6
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This season we have seen the maple leaves burst. But last night, we saw them fight back from a 2-0 deficit and force the game into overtime. This is a big step forward for a Toronto team that has struggled through the first 20 games of the season.
Easton Cowan’s Breakout game
This is the game maple leafs fans have been waiting for. Easton Cowan finally had a breakout game, where he played 20 minutes and was promoted to the front line alongside William Nylander and John Tavarer. He ended the night with ASIT, PLUS-2-2 and four shots on goal. However, over his 21 shifts, he had a huge impact on the game.
There was a noticeable difference in how the faculty played after he was sent to the American Hockey League (AHL). As he has been called, he has been playing much slower, feistier, and better. He’s been tough for example, tough on the net, and he seems to have more confidence when he has the puck on his stick. For example the night last night in overtime when he and Max Domi were on the ice together. Cowan collected the puck in the defense and controlled it 200 feet up the ice, and instead of falling to Domi, he took it for himself and went to the net. If he can do more of that, he will look like a very different player and likely keep his place in the team.
Another good team effort despite the loss
There have not been many times this season that this team has been praised for their good team efforts. However, over the last three games they would have put in some big efforts. Unfortunately, they never got the results they wanted, but it’s a good step in the right direction. Hopefully, they can continue to wash these games together and when they get their injured players back in line, they can start to close out wins and move up the standings.
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Last night, their weak point was defending, which showed in both goals by Adamu Pintlilli. The first goal was a defense product that sits back and gives him a lot of time and space, which led to him toe dragging the pipe and praising Joseph’s past. On his second try, which was an overtime winner, Jake McCabe jumped on Google and saved the Blue Jackets’ goal, and when the puck was turned over it left Domi behind. Unfortunately, he played a bad angle and allowed Toplilli to go too far to him, which gave him a big lane to the net and he was able to hit the winner and his second of the night. If things like that can be strengthened, the maple leaves will be a better team, but that’s just another detail, which comes with more buy-in from the team.
What’s next for maple leaves?
The maple leaves are out of the way of the six road trip. Their first stop is against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. They will also make stops in Columbus (Nov. 26), Washington (Nov. 28), Pittsburgh (Nov. 29), Florida (Dec. 4) and Carolina (Decre. 4) and the Canadiens Game as well. This upcoming road trip is one of the most important games of their season. One where they need to come out with at least 3-4 wins to keep up with the teams ahead of them in the standings.
