3 takeaways from Leafs-Hurricanes: Immature loss created by abandoning defensive side of puck
William Nylander scored twice and narrowly missed a hat-trick, while John Tavares and Auston Matthews also got on the board. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Sean Walker, Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven scored for the Hurricanes.
It’s an apt summary from Berube, and he was irate throughout the game, as the Maple Leafs committed several turnovers that were punished against an undermanned, opportunistic Hurricanes squad.
appropriate reaction from Craig Berube
At the time of this filing, Toronto ranks second in the NHL with 43 goals at 5-on-5, and its power play is finally beginning to gain some rhythm. After a year where the Maple Leafs’ superior goaltending and defensive structure overcame some offensive woes, there is a complete sense of panic every time the puck is in the defensive zone.
“Turnover after turnover cost us the game tonight. We didn’t check anybody tonight. We didn’t win any battles tonight. It’s two games in a row,” Berube said.
Leafs came into the game 30th in turnover goals against. Turnover chances were 12-2 Carolina after 2 periods. That’s how they get the tying goal a few minutes into the 3rd.
Joel Nystrom won’t get his second NHL point here, but he’s the reason for Taylor Hall’s third of the season.
His keep-in allowed Logan Stankoven to get to work down low, and a second later, it’s in.
Here are three takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 loss to the Hurricanes:
Dennis Hildeby was the Leafs’ best player and is absolved from blame
Dennis Hildeby did everything he could to keep the Maple Leafs in the contest, and he’s perhaps the lone player absolved of blame from the loss. Hildeby made 41 saves on 46 shots, and was forced to make at least three breakaway stops during the second period, where the Maple Leafs’ rush defence completely capitulated.
“He made a lot of saves. We gave them, what, three breakaways in the second period? Maybe four? I don’t know. I lost count. It has nothing to do with the goalie,” Berube said of Hildeby post-game.
Hildeby was thrust into action during Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins and on short rest, he bailed the Maple Leafs out several times. He battled throughout the game, as the Maple Leafs surrendered second and third-chance opportunities, while getting pushed around in the defensive zone.
these are all from this period
lead or no lead, this has got to stop
“I thought we were fortunate to have a lead after two,” Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews said post-game. “If it wasn’t for Beast (Hildeby) you know, three, four breakaways there we gave up, he made big saves.”
“He was the reason why we had a chance to win the hockey game,” Maple Leafs forward John Tavares added. “I thought he was phenomenal. Heck of a job on the PK, especially in the third period, too. Tight hockey game, he was great.
John Tavares calls out the Maple Leafs’ for immature game management
“At times, we did some really good things, earned opportunities and were able to give ourselves a lead. Our game just, for whatever reason, becomes really immature. We don’t manage the game very well,” Tavares said post-game.
Berube appeared to agree with Tavares’ assessment, before diving into the myriad issues hampering the Maple Leafs through the year.
“Could be immaturity, not a willingness to make the easy play, turnover after turnover costs us the game tonight. You know, we didn’t check anybody tonight. We didn’t win any battles tonight. It’s two games in a row,” Berube said post-game.
Toronto was outshot 46-20 and controlled 33 percent of the expected goals at 5-on-5 during Sunday’s loss. And while Tavares’ line featuring Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann quietly controlled the possession share, it’s a moot point, after losing back-to-back home games, with seemingly no end in sight to the defensive errors.
A complete abandonment of the defensive side of the puck
Berube’s post-game quote is a neat summary of the Maple Leafs’ season to date. It’s a complete team effort, but the Maple Leafs’ defensive corps have been woeful to start the year, and it may be time to bring in some reinforcements.
Philippe Myers is struggling throughout the year and isn’t facilitating any real zone exits. Myers is prone to several giveaways, and he can’t be used on either special teams unit. Toronto controlled 13 percent of the expected goals when Myers was on the ice at 5-on-5, and none of his partners have been able to augment his game. It’s not just on the bottom of the roster, either.
Jake McCabe arguably has been Toronto’s best defensive player this season, but he made a number of errors, and took two needless penalties. McCabe made a critical error on Logan Stankoven’s game-winning goal, turning the puck over to Nikolaj Ehlers, and the team collapsed. Toronto was outshot 21-4 with McCabe on the ice, posting a seven percent share of the expected goals in all situations.
Stankoven gives Carolina the lead
📽️: TSN | NHL
