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The Toronto Maple Leafs had to be encouraged about the depth of their roster that they were able to win four straight games last month (including a 4-2 win over Minnesota on November 8) without the services of Auston Matthews. That level of confidence has waned during the center’s second absence from the lineup, as the Leafs could not generate significant scoring chances in a 2-0 loss to the Wild at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on Thursday.
A goal from Tyler Ennis late in the first period proved to be enough for Minnesota and backup goalie Alex Stalock, who stopped 28 shots for his first shutout of the season and the Wild’s fourth straight victory. Frederik Andersen made 24 saves for Toronto in his second straight defeat.
The Leafs were not successful on five power play opportunities and had 16 shots in the third period, but other than a stop on Patrick Marleau in the second period and a couple scoring chances by Josh Leivo early in the third, the former Marlie healthy scratch did not face a great deal of pressure.
“I thought (Stalock) had a good game and I thought (the Wild) protected him well. I didn't think either team gave up very many opportunities, so it was a night for the goaltenders that way.” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “We weren't dangerous enough on the power play, so we have to get that fixed because that's a critical part of the game.”
The Leafs are 3-3 in December, mostly due to the hot goaltending of Andersen and Curtis McElhinney. After winning their fifth straight without Matthews in the lineup against Edmonton on Sunday, Toronto has lost two in a row with their star center injured and are averaging just one goal-per-game in their last three outings.
The struggles of William Nylander and Mitch Marner have been more noticeable with Matthews unavailable, as the sophomore forwards have not shown any sign of elevating their game. After points in four consecutive games, Nylander has just one assist in his last six. Marner went seven games without a point before a three assist effort against Pittsburgh last Saturday, but has just one assist in the last three games.
“I don't know why (Leafs players) would be squeezing their sticks, they've got no reason for that.” Babcock said.” To me, we're a team that feels pretty good about ourselves and playing pretty well. I don't know what that would be about.”
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Toronto will play their third road game in four days against the Detroit Red Wings squad at Little Caesar’s Arena on Friday. The Wings (11-13-7) are falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff race with 29 points, but will be rested and a challenge for the Leafs, who will start Curtis McElhinney.
With games on back-to-back nights, any lineup changes may not reveal themselves until pre-game, but it is possible that a fresh Kasperi Kapanen and/or Connor Carrick could get in, but with three days in between their next game against Carolina, the chances of Matthews return are slim.
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