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The Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday followed an all-to-familiar pattern, as the Blue and White entered the third period with a good chance to win, but fell short in crunch time.
2016 top pick Auston Matthews put forth another strong effort, scoring his club leading 15th goal of the season on a deft second-period deflection, but the club managed to beat John Gibson only one more time, in spite of 35 shots on the Anaheim goalie.
Slow motion replay on that 1-0 goal. Auston Matthews is unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/VzwMzq5N8O
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 20, 2016
Anaheim’s advantage in the faceoff circle was a key part of their victory. The Leafs were without their two best centers on draws in Tyler Bozak and Ben Smith and were forced to move William Nylander up the middle and call up rookie Frederik Gauthier.
Veterans Antoine Vermette and Ryan Kesler dominated the dot in the game. Vermette won 18 of 21 draws and Kesler won 17 of 25, including a pair of wins against Gauthier to begin Ducks man advantages, which resulted in power play goals for Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler.
“I thought (Anaheim) dominated the circle against us. It was just our lines weren't as good. Obviously the Bozak line with Marner and van Riemsdyk is way better with Bozak in the middle and Willie (Nylander) has been playing the wing and he has been playing the wing for a while. We weren't as good in that position.… Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “Vermette is real strong even though he's their third-line center. He's strong in the circle as well. (Getzlaf) and Kesler are no slouches. It was a handful for some of our guys tonight.…
Fowler game winner pic.twitter.com/BeA1YtO2mo
— Stephanie (@myregularface) December 20, 2016
Matthews handled an increased role well with Bozak out of the lineup, matching up often against the experienced Getzlaf and playing some time with rookie Mitch Marner, but that is a combination that Babcock is likely not to continue using.
“(Matthews) has really gotten a lot better in his own end. He knows what’s going on and gets the puck way more than he used to because he knows how to play.… Babcock said. “I’ve never met a good player yet – I’ve learned this from Pavel(Datsyuk) and (Henrik Zetterberg) – is that they want players who can get them the puck back. They want the puck. They don’t three guys on the line that want the puck. They want guys that get them the puck and get open.…
The loss completed the Leafs block of December home games at Air Canada Center. Toronto went 1-3-2 in the six games, scored 11 goals and did not score more than twice in any contest. Their record of generating offense has not been as good away from ACC and the Leafs play eight of their next ten games on the road.
The Leafs recalled Antoine Bibeau and sent Jhonas Enroth down to the Marlies on Tuesday. Babcock indicated that the rookie goaltender will play in one of the back-to-back games in Denver on Thursday or Glendale on Friday.
Bozak, Smith and Morgan Rielly did not practice on Tuesday. Rielly is healthy and is expected to play in Colorado but Bozak and Smith’s status is in question.
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In the final episode of 2016, the Blue N' White Tonight podcast looks at the Leafs shootout woes, the return of Peter Holland, the possible trade of JVR, a young defenseman growing restless and interviews proud dad Paul Marner.
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Congratulations to the seven newest members of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Pearl Jam was one of my favorites during my college days and Journey had some fine songs early on, but I’m especially pleased that the Electric Light Orchestra and Yes have finally gained entry.
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