NEW YORK — It’s another four goals behind Michael Hutchinson and another two potential points lost in the playoff chase.
But on Wednesday night the Toronto Maple Leafs’ issues ran deeper than the backup-turned-starting goaltender.
The Leafs failed to sustain any momentum after their good moments at Madison Square Garden, surrendering a goal 74 seconds after opening the scoring and then allowing another one 34 seconds after Auston Matthews briefly got them back to 3-2 down.
That fourth New York Rangers goal was particularly tough for Hutchinson, who lost his stick and never got into a set position before seeing Pavel Buchnevich’s shot get through him. He’s been under the spotlight in Toronto ever since Frederik Andersen went down with a neck injury on Monday and won’t silence his critics after this 5-3 loss.
Playing behind a team that is prone to loose defensive play hasn’t made his job any easier.
The Leafs operate on the philosophy that playing offence is the best form of defence and have at times made it work — such as during a dominant second period against the Florida Panthers earlier this week when they didn’t allow an even-strength shot on goal from their own zone.
However, they use a passive five-man defensive approach when the other team has possession and attempt to take away the middle of the ice. But they’ve also allowed more goals off the cycle than any other team this season, according to Sportlogiq.
During Wednesday’s game, Filip Chytil had a tap-in on Hutchinson after Tony DeAngelo feathered a pass through the middle of the ice. That made it 1-1 following a John Tavares goal.
Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider then scored six seconds apart, with Zibanejad beating Hutchinson over the glove after the Rangers won an offensive zone faceoff, and Kreider breaking in alone on the ensuing draw at centre ice.
The Leafs played a better second period and saw Matthews get them within one, but Hutchinson gave up the backbreaker to Buchnevich on the very next shift.
Matthews added his second of the night — and 39th of the season — on a late power play. Greg McKegg hit the empty net.
Toronto remains a point behind Florida for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division — albeit with two more games played.
