Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a game that forced fans to be entirely focused, one of those ‘don’t turn your head’ games, and a wild back-and-forth contest that fans love but coaches hate. It was a rare but refreshing burst of offense and an exciting afternoon of high-paced hockey for Maple Leafs fans, ending with their team on top.
The game looked like it would go to a shootout, but William Nylander ended it a minute into overtime with a laser over Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist’s shoulder. The Penguins had scored three goals in 2.5 minutes earlier, but the Maple Leafs hung in regardless. The result? It was the team’s fifth win in a row.
Item One: Matthews Hits Milestone: 700 Career Points
Auston Matthews’ continued scoring streak was a positive aspect of this game. He’s on pace to hit 30 goals for another season, a solid accomplishment but not up to his usual speed. While expectations for Matthews are high, his ability to remain consistent is key to the Maple Leafs’ success.
Matthews scored his 700th career point, placing him in an elite group of Maple Leafs players. Alongside Nylander and Mitch Marner, Matthews is building an active legacy. This trio will be considered three of the franchise’s best one day. The only thing missing from their resumes is a Stanley Cup. Once they grab that, they will reach “ultimate legend” status.
Item Two: Woll’s Rare Off-Night Ends in a Win
Joseph Woll was not up to his usual speed but was the better of the two goalies on the afternoon. He made 29 saves on 34 shots in an uncharacteristically off-game. Woll allowed four goals at even strength and one on the power play in a matchup with little defensive structure. Perhaps there were a few avoidable goals, but mostly, Woll didn’t make the huge saves he’s been known for. Still, his overall reliability helped the Maple Leafs squeeze out a win.
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Give Woll credit for remaining calm under pressure, allowing Toronto to grab the win. This rare off-night shouldn’t detract from his solid season performance, which shows a 21-11-0 record, with a .907 save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average through 32 games. With the game being the first of a back-to-back, expect Anthony Stolarz to get the start against the San Jose Sharks on Monday night on home ice.
Item Three: Maple Leafs’ Defense Stepping Up as Playoffs Approach
The Maple Leafs’ defense has been a pleasant offensive surprise in recent games, with key points from blueliners like Conor Timmins, Morgan Rielly, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. All three have scored in recent games. This marks a shift for the team, which has struggled to get offensive production from its defense this season.
As the Maple Leafs gear up for the playoffs, the added depth from their blue line could provide an extra layer of scoring and stability as they make their postseason push. Timmins scored his second goal of the season and his first since Nov. 9. He now has two goals and six assists in 49 games.
Despite a minor injury scare on Friday, Ekman-Larsson was able to play against the Penguins on Sunday. He has four goals and 25 points, with a career-best plus-18 rating in 58 games this season. He’s been reliable at both ends of the ice.
Item Four: Calle Jarnkrok Might Make His Debut Tonight
Look for the forgotten man, Calle Jarnkrok, to make his season debut tonight against the Sharks. He could give the Maple Leafs a boost that goes under the radar, but having him return feels like bringing in a veteran at the trade deadline. Known as a “Swiss Army knife,” Jarnkrok is a versatile player who can fill multiple positions and contribute offensively and defensively.
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While he’ll need some time to get back into game shape after missing a significant amount of time, his solid 200-foot game and ability to step up in various roles make him an important piece, particularly as the team heads toward the playoffs. His flexibility and experience will be valuable to the Maple Leafs.
Item Five: Alex Steeves: Can’t Crack the Lineup and Sent to Minors
Alex Steeves had his chance and didn’t (at least this time) make it count. On Sunday, he was reassigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. The 25-year-old forward made a small impact with the Maple Leafs, contributing a goal and an assist in three games after being called up on Feb. 18. Steeves returns to the Marlies, where he has been a standout this season. He leads the AHL in goals with 29, adding 17 assists in 40 games.
Despite his impressive minor league performance, Steeves has little to show for his NHL time. Will he continue his development with the Marlies? Fans must wonder if this might have been his last chance before the trade deadline.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
One of the key takeaways from this game is the Maple Leafs’ fighting spirit. Even when they fell behind, they fought back to secure the win. This ability to remain in the game no matter the score is a huge asset as the team heads toward the playoffs. Their confidence must be growing, knowing they can win, whether ahead or trailing.
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With this win, the Maple Leafs’ momentum is strong as they prepare to host the Sharks. Their play since the break has been impressive. Yet, they must keep this form to secure a strong regular-season finish. With the playoffs coming, it’s important that the Maple Leafs avoid playing one of the Florida teams in the first round.
Letting the Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning knock the other team out of the postseason and then meeting a banged-up winner would be the best course of action. But that’s looking a bit ahead. Right?
