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The Toronto Maple Leafs had registered only one win at the halfway mark without starter Frederik Andersen between the pipes, but on Saturday new backup Curtis McElhinney equaled that mark with a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Center in Kanata, ON.
The starting goaltender in Ottawa was cast into doubt early Saturday when the Leafs recalled Garret Sparks on an emergency basis, but the 33-year-old wearing jersey #35 and a spray painted white mask did go, making 35 saves in his Blue and White debut.
Welcome to the Leafs, Curtis McElhinney and congrats on your first win with the team !! #Leafs pic.twitter.com/v1cBrjRRgu
— Leafs Hub (@LeafsHub) January 15, 2017
Leafs coach Mike Babcock, who has overused Andersen because of a lack of confidence in Jhonas Enroth and rookie Antoine Bibeau, was pleased with the veteran’s performance.
“You know he is a good guy and a good pro and he's calm and believes he can get the job done. I think that's a big part of it right there is, as a goalie, you want to be in there and know you're going to get the job done.… Babcock said following the game. “Lou [Lamoriello] did a real good job in getting it looked after and acquiring him. It has been an issue for us, having someone to put in the net there, and obviously this was a big step.…
Nazem Kadri scored twice, Connor Brown and Tyler Bozak scored for Toronto, who have gone 8-0-1 in their last nine road games. They return to Air Canada Center to start a four-game home stand against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
Connor Brown goal pic.twitter.com/R2rHD2i9Nb
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 15, 2017
The Leafs schedule prior to the 2017 World Junior appeared daunting (eight of their next 10 games on the road) for a club that had won only two games away from ACC in October and November.
Toronto’s 7-0-1 record during that stretch, with the league’s top-rated power play(31.3%) and penalty killing(90.7%) on the road has vaulted the young club into third place in the Atlantic Division at the halfway mark.
The Leafs record and special teams are not as sparkling at home. After going 8-3-0 at ACC through October and November, Toronto has gone 2-4-2 in their last eight games and have not won in regulation since beating Washington 4-2 on November 26.
Their power play ranks 21st in the NHL at 15.3% and penalty killing is 25th at 77.3% at home. *******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
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