Tavares' heroics could mark turning point for Maple Leafs

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Tavares’ heroics could mark turning point for Maple Leafs

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2022

Harry Miller

TORONTO — If the Toronto Maple Leafs can build off something, it’s the second goal of the hat trick center John Tavares scored in a 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

Center Auston Matthews said it was “just special.” Forward Zach Aston-Reese called it “a sight to see.”

The Maple Leafs let a 3-1 lead slip to 3-2 in the third period, like they had at the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. Against the Ducks, they allowed the tying goal later in the third and lost in overtime 4-3. They came home on a four-game losing streak with a 4-4-2 record, and they had to listen to questions about coach Sheldon Keefe’s job security.

Not this time. Just as Toronto started to look safe and defensive, Tavares skated down the right wing, made a sweet move to elude defenseman Travis Sanheim deep in the right circle and cut to the net. After goalie Felix Sandstrom stopped his initial shot with the right pad, Tavares chipped in his own rebound to make it 4-2 at 12:42.

“That’s big-time stuff,” Keefe said. “That’s a big moment in the game.”

Maybe even in the season. We’ll see.

“You recognize we haven’t been playing great,” Tavares said. “We haven’t been able to close out some games. But even though we haven’t played the way that we’re capable of, we’ve been in every game, and we’ve had opportunities where we just haven’t finished it out. [It’s] just continuing to stick with what you do, the same approach daily, with being aware of what we’ve got to get better at.”

Video: PHI@TOR: Tavares scores in 3rd period

Tavares made it 5-2 with a power-play goal at 15:23, and the fans tossed caps on the ice to celebrate his hat trick. They roared when defenseman Mark Giordano roughed Flyers forward Travis Konecny and fought Flyers center Kevin Hayes in one sequence at 18:16.

This was what the fans wanted to see: bouncing back, pushing back, the core coming through. Tavares also had an assist, giving him a four-point night. Matthews had a power-play goal and an assist. Forward Mitchell Marner and defenseman Morgan Rielly each had two assists, and forward William Nylander had one.

“I think everyone was aware of kind of where we were heading,” said Aston-Reese, who also scored. “We weren’t playing awful, but we weren’t playing a full 60 minutes, and there was a conversation in the locker room, and we made the adjustments, and I thought we played almost a full game tonight.”

Normally, it’s too early for such anger and angst. But this is Toronto, one of the biggest, most passionate hockey markets in the world, and consider the full context.

The Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, the longest drought in the NHL. They haven’t won a series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2004; every other team has won one since then, not counting the Seattle Kraken, who entered the NHL last season as an expansion team.

The past six seasons, the Maple Leafs have lost in the opening round of the playoffs. The past five seasons, they’ve been eliminated in a winner-take-all Game 5 or Game 7.

Last season was the biggest letdown. The Maple Leafs set team records for wins (54) and points (115), and Matthews became their first 60-goal scorer, winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL most valuable player. But they drew the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round, blew a 3-2 series lead and lost 2-1 in Game 7.

Management brought back the same coach and core this season. In the end, that might turn out to be wise, if the Maple Leafs tune out the noise, turn themselves around and win in the playoffs. But in the interim, they won’t get the benefit of the doubt, because they haven’t earned it.

The same questions remain. How far can the core carry this team? Is the supporting cast strong enough? Is the goaltending good enough? Do they have enough toughness? Can their skill succeed in the playoffs?

The heat is on. General manager Kyle Dubas is in the last year of his contract and has said he’s more than happy to be evaluated at the end of the season. Free agent coach Barry Trotz, who won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018 and ranks third in NHL history with 914 wins, has said an Original Six team would intrigue him. Matthews is eligible to sign a contract extension after the season.

One win won’t change any of that, especially this one. The Flyers had lost 1-0 at the New York Rangers the night before and were 1-1-2 in their past four. Instead of goalie Carter Hart, who is 5-0-2 this season, they started Sandstrom, who was 0-6-1 in his NHL career.

Bigger tests loom. The Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday and host the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Boston (9-1-0) and Vegas (9-2-0) are tied atop the NHL standings with 18 points each. Carolina (6-2-1) is considered a top contender.

But this was a start. It needs to be a start.

“It’s a really positive step forward for us,” Matthews said.

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Plot twist: Kings steal home ice from Edmonton Oilers in OT stunner – Edmonton Journal

Published

45 mins ago

April 25, 2024

Harry Miller

Published Apr 24, 2024 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 4 minute read

Los Angeles Kings Adrian Kempe (9) celebrates his goal on Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) during game 2 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup playoff action on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Edmonton. Greg Southam-Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam

The Los Angeles Kings are not going down without a fight.

And who knows, they might not be going down at all.

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After trouncing the Los Angeles Kings 7-4 in a one-sided Game 1 romp and then wiping out every sniff of momentum the visitors had in Game 2, the Edmonton Oilers looked like they were fully in charge of a potentially short series.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the sweep.

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The Kings delivered a rousing, spirited response Monday night at Rogers Place, never trailing in a 5-4 overtime victory that evens the series and steals away home ice advantage.

How’s that for a plot twist?

“In the first period we dug ourselves a big hole being down 2-0 and 3-1, but after that I thought we played a lot better, especially in the second period,” said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. “I felt like if we ever able to get the lead we could have finished the game but we were never quite able to do that.”

Edmonton spent the entire night in chase mode — trailing 2-0 in the first, 3-1 in the second and 4-3 in the third before Anze Kopitar stuck the knife in at 2:07 of the extra period to spoil the party and flip the series on its head going back to Los Angeles.

The winning goal started with a freaky bounce off of L.A.’s Quinton Byfield along the boards, right to Kopitar for the breakaway. This, after two Kings goals went in off of skates and another as the result of a broken stick in Game 1.

If you’re scoring breaks, L.A. leads the series 2-0.

“You saw some of the goals that they scored last game, you saw some goals that they scored tonight, not to take anything away, but they seem to be fluky goals somehow,” sighed Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm, wondering when the Kings run of luck is going to dry up.

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“Whether it’s a bat out of the air or a shot from the outside of the hashmarks on the ice. They just seem to find its ways through. That’s the playoffs.”

Goaltender Stuart Skinner has been on the receiving end of it for two games now. He’s been a victim as time, but the bottom line is nine goals against in two games. He needs to get back to his regular season level.

“Games like this where you feel like the universe is against you, the pucks just not working well for you, it’s part of life,” he said in the post-game dressing room. “It’s part of playoffs too.

“The takeaway for tonight is just kind of, wash it out. I know who I am. I know my game and I’m going to get back to work.”

The Oilers knew exactly what to expect from a desperate Los Angeles team that knew falling behind 2-0 is as close to a death sentence as you can get without actually being dead, and that’s what they got.

The prospect of having to win four of the next five games against a team that’s beaten them 11 of the last 14 provided all of the adrenaline the Kings needed and they rode it to the win.

The outcome wasted a great night from Oilers forward Dylan Holloway, who scored the first two playoff goals of his career in the loss.

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So suddenly it’s the Oilers who are in peril, having to play Games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles against a team that has come to life in a big way. The Kings have finally broken through against a team that’s owned them for a long time and who knows where it goes from here.

“I thought we played a good game and had the puck most of the night,” said Ekholm, adding the Oilers still feel very good about who they are. “They (Kings) are going to have their looks and their bounces, but I still liked the way we played and hopefully we can build off of that.”

Oilers Kings NHL playoffs — Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal by Dylan Holloway (55) against the Los Angeles Kings during game 2 of the first round NHL Stanley Cup playoff action on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Edmonton. Greg Southam-Postmedia Photo by Greg Southam /Greg Southam

THE CALIFORNIA STORM

If Game 1 was played on the Oilers terms, Game 2 was played on L.A.’s.

At the start, anyway.

The Kings scored first (courtesy of an Oilers breakdown that went about four players deep), choked things up (the shots were 4-3 through 14 minutes) and took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

Everything was going their way. Even when it wasn’t.

When Brett Kulak got the crowd into it with a rocket of a one-timer to make it 2-1, Drew Doughty took them out of it 29 seconds later when he and Skinner both whiffed on a breakaway shot that trickled in through the five-hole

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Skinner allowed three goals on seven shots in the opening 20 minutes and while you couldn’t lay the deficit at his feet, the Oilers needed a save.

CUE THE COMEBACK

The second period was all Oilers. The same team that ran away with Game 1 showed up in the second period, washing away L.A.s lead in less than 11 minutes and turning the volume in Rogers Place as loud as it’s been in years.

Their relentless forecheck had the Kings on their heels all period, breaking them on Holloway’s first goal of the playoffs at 7:51 and Zach Hyman’s power play marker at 10:33.

In addition to scoring, Hyman also delivered the hit of the playoffs, crushing Phillip Danault with a violent open-ice check in the third period that sent the Kings centre straight to the dressing room. He returned a few minutes later after gathering himself in the room.

GRAND FINALE

The Kings refused to go away, tying it 1:46 into the third period on Kevin Fiala’s goal, but this time it was Edmonton’s turn to answer with a quick strike — Holloway at 3:23.

From there, it was next shot wins territory.

E-mail: rtychkowski@postmedia.com

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Need to Know: Bruins at Maple Leafs | Game 3 | Boston Bruins – NHL.com

Published

13 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

Familiar Territory

James van Riemsdyk has played his fair share of playoff contests here in Toronto – but all of them have come in blue and white. On Wednesday night, he would be on the other side for the first time if he indeed makes his Bruins postseason debut, which appeared to be a strong possibility based on the Black & Gold’s morning skate.

“It’s always special to play in this building,” said van Riemsdyk, who played in 20 postseason games with Toronto, including nine at Scotiabank Arena. “In this rivalry, it’s always a lot of fun. This time of year is always amazing, no matter where you’re at – if you’re at a 500-seat arena or a rink with all the tradition and history like this. It’s always fun and always a great opportunity to get in there.”

van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch for the first two games of this series, following a trend across the second half of the regular season, during which he sat out several games.

“Playoff time of year is always the best time of year,” said van Riemsdyk, who has 20 goals and 31 points in 71 career playoff games between Philadelphia and Toronto. “Obviously, in this rivalry, it’s always a lot of fun – two fun buildings to play in. You cherish every opportunity you get.

“This time of year, you learn that along the way, it’s all about the team. Whatever the team’s asking you to do, that’s always got to be your mindset and approach…you stay at it every day and just take it one day at a time.”

Montgomery said that if van Riemsdyk does re-enter the lineup, he’ll be looking for the veteran winger to help the Bruins’ offensive game. He also complimented van Riemsdyk’s professionalism throughout a trying second half.

“I guess getting his stick on more pucks,” Montgomery said on what he wants to see from van Riemsdyk. “We’ve talked about it a lot of times internally. Him and [Kevin] Shattenkirk have been great. They’re true pros. Every day come to work, come to get better. It’s not an easy situation, but he’s been great.”

van Riemsdyk concurred with his coach’s sentiments about helping Boston’s offensive attack, saying that he’ll be aiming to be around the net as much as possible.

“I think you’ve got to stay true to who you are as a player and play with good details and manage the game well and play to your strengths as a player,” he said. “This time of year, being around the net is always an important trait. You see all the goals being scored, it’s all within 5-10 feet of the net. That’s an area that I pride myself on, so going to be doing my best to get there and have an impact there.”

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NHL teams, take note: Alexandar Georgiev is proof that anything can happen in the playoffs

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Harry Miller

It’s hard to say when, exactly, Alexandar Georgiev truly began to win some hearts and change some minds on Tuesday night.

Maybe it was in the back half of the second period; that was when the Colorado Avalanche, for the first time in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, actually managed to hold a lead for more than, oh, two minutes or thereabouts. Maybe it was when the Avs walked into the locker room up 4-2 with 20 minutes to play.

Maybe it was midway through the third, when a series of saves by the Avalanche’s beleaguered starting goaltender helped preserve their two-goal buffer. Maybe it was when the buzzer sounded after their 5-2 win. Maybe it didn’t happen until the Avs made it into their locker room at Canada Life Centre, tied 1-1 with the Jets and headed for Denver.

At some point, though, it should’ve happened. If you were watching, you should’ve realized that Colorado — after a 7-6 Game 1 loss that had us all talking not just about all those goals, but at least one of the guys who’d allowed them — had squared things up, thanks in part to … well, that same guy.

Georgiev, indeed, was the story of Game 2, stopping 28 of 30 shots, improving as the game progressed and providing a lesson on how quickly things can change in the playoffs — series to series, game to game, period to period, moment to moment. The narrative doesn’t always hold. Facts don’t always cooperate. Alexandar Georgiev, for one night and counting, was not a problem for the Colorado Avalanche. He was, in direct opposition to the way he played in Game 1, a solution. How could we view him as anything else?

He had a few big-moment saves, and most of them came midway through the third period with his team up 4-2. There he was with 12:44 remaining, stopping a puck that had awkwardly rolled off Nino Niederreiter’s stick; two missed posts by the Avs at the other end had helped spring Niederreiter for a breakaway. Game 1 Georgiev doesn’t make that save.

There he was, stopping Nikolaj Ehlers from the circle a few minutes later. There wasn’t an Avs defender within five feet, and there was nothing awkward about the puck Ehlers fired at his shoulder. Game 1 Georgiev gets scored on twice.

(That one might’ve been poetic justice. It was Ehlers who’d put the first puck of the night on Georgiev — a chip from center ice that he stopped, and that the crowd in Winnipeg greeted with the ol’ mock cheer. Whoops.)

By the end of it all, Georgiev had stared down Connor Hellebuyck and won, saving nearly 0.5 goals more than expected according to Natural Stat Trick, giving the Avalanche precisely what they needed and looking almost nothing like the guy we’d seen a couple days before. Conventional wisdom coming into this series was twofold: That the Avs have firepower, high-end talent and an overall edge — slight as it may be — on Winnipeg, and that Georgiev is shaky enough to nuke the whole thing.

That wasn’t without merit, either. Georgiev’s .897 save percentage in the regular season was six percentage points below the league average, and he hadn’t broken even in expected goals allowed (minus-0.21). He’d been even worse down the stretch, putting up an .856 save percentage in his final eight appearances, and worse still in Game 1, allowing seven goals on 23 shots and more than five goals more than expected. That’s not bad; that’s an oil spill. Writing him off would’ve been understandable. Writing off Jared Bednar for rolling him out there in Game 2 would’ve been understandable. Writing the Avs off — for all of Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar’s greatness — would’ve been understandable.

It just wouldn’t have been correct.

The fact that this all went down now, four days into a two-month ordeal, is a gift — because the postseason thus far has been short on surprises, almost as a rule. The Rangers and Oilers are overwhelming the Capitals and Kings. The Hurricanes are halfway done with the Islanders. The Canucks are struggling with the Predators. Panthers–Lightning is tight, but one team is clearly better than the other. Bruins–Maple Leafs is a close matchup featuring psychic baggage that we don’t have time to unpack. In Golden Knights–Stars, Mark Stone came back and scored a huge goal.