Maple Leafs face an uphill slog that very few would have expected

  • 📰 globeandmail
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 51 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 24%
  • Publisher: 92%

Canada Headlines News

Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines

Maple Leafs face an uphill slog that very few would have expected Globe_Sports

It was so bad that Kyle Dubas, the team’s general manager, jumped out of his chair in exasperation when Chicago’s bright rookie, Dominik Kubalik, raced up the ice and batted a puck past Frederik Andersen to give the visitors a 6-2 second-period lead.The outcome was long decided before that goal, Kubalik’s second goal of the evening, but it was another piece of evidence that pointed to how badly Toronto was outplayed.

With a couple of exceptions, other Canadian NHL teams are doing well. Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary hold down the top three positions in the Pacific Division. Elias Pettersson has 51 points in 49 games to lead the Canucks. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have 54 goals and 151 points combined for the Oilers. David Rittich has been solid in the net for the Flames.

It was announced this week that Auston Matthews, their high-scoring centre, would sit out all on-ice events at the all-star game while he received treatment on an injured wrist. It would not appear to be anything serious; he and Alexander Ovechkin are tied for second in the NHL in goals, each with 34. David Pastrnak of Boston is first with 37.There was no prior hint that Matthews was hurt, so having him skip the all-star festivities looks precautionary at best and suspicious at worst.

By comparison, his little-used backup, Michael Hutchinson, has been slightly better: a .903 save percentage over the past seven weeks.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 5. in CA

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner on first All-Star Game, evolution of NHL wingers - Sportsnet.ca'I think really the winger role has evolved into being something bigger than just kind of that guy that goes up and down the wing...' Mitch Marner joined FAN590 to discuss being an NHLAllStar, and the shift in role that wingers play in the NHL today. FAN590 Mitch demonstrating high iq and high anxiety.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews works through nagging pain in scoring binge - Sportsnet.caAuston Matthews just ripped through one of the hottest scoring stretches of his career while receiving regular treatment on an aching right wrist. It's an impressive feat and he's taken the NHL All-Star break to help recover before the second half of his Toronto Maple Leafs season. reporterchris MapleLeafs How's his plus minus record during that period - oh yeah I forgot it's Eddie's fault! reporterchris MapleLeafs All while the Leafs go 12 wins 9 losses...not very good for the Leafs who think they are the center of the hockey universe. Maybe they would be better if Matthews worried as much about the team as he does about his personal stats reporterchris MapleLeafs Unfortunately for him he is the only nhl player playing with a nagging injury
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Hayes: Tavares is under the most pressure among the Leafs big four in the last 33 gamesThe OverDrive guys discuss whether Jake Muzzin will be ready to play when the Leafs return from their bye week, who on the team would face the most criticism... TSNHockey HayesTSN OverDrive1050 Lmao can't win it when you aren't in it. Leafs Suck. Oilers broke Freddy HayesTSN OverDrive1050 He got this.. LeafsForever HayesTSN He needs a consistent LW to gain momentum with him & Willy. He needs to get going like last year!
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

Hayes: Leafs need to use almost all the games before deadline before making a moveThe OverDrive guys discuss what the Leafs approach should be heading into the trade deadline, and whether they can afford to give up assets in what could be ... TSNHockey HayesTSN OverDrive1050 yes, so they can have a healthy roster for once and toronto media will realize they can work with that they’ve got
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

McKenzie: Leafs are looking for a right-side defenceman with termTSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie joins Leafs Lunch to discuss what kind of player Kyle Dubas could be targeting as we approach the trade deadline, which Leafs could be made available for trade, and whether the strength of this year’s draft class will stop teams from trading away first round picks. TSNBobMcKenzie Kris Russell TSNBobMcKenzie Tyler Myers TSNBobMcKenzie Dumba
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

Leafs assign Jake Muzzin to AHL's Marlies on conditioning loan - Sportsnet.caThe Toronto Maple Leafs have assigned defenceman Jake Muzzin to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, on a conditioning loan, the team announced Thursday. MapleLeafs TorontoMarlies MapleLeafs TorontoMarlies Call up Garett Wilson MapleLeafs TorontoMarlies Need this guy back ASAP
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »