For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
*******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. *******
The Toronto Maple Leafs played one of the best defensive clubs in the NHL in the Los Angeles Kings in the first game of their three-game California road swing and were successful at beating them at their own game. The Leafs were opportunistic in scoring twice in the span of 3:01 in the second period and added an empty netter in a 3-0 win over the Kings on Tuesday.
William Nylander scored twice, Calle Jarnkrok added a single tally, Tyler Bertuzzi added a pair of assists, and Martin Jones made 31 saves for his fifth victory and second shutout of the season.
WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 3, 2024
Mid-air bunt, Leafs are on the board pic.twitter.com/t2CQpfZxT1
“I thought the guys played incredibly hard on offense and defense. L.A. demands that you work and compete at a very high level.… Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the win. “Right from the drop of the puck in the first period, our guys really showed that they were on a bit of a mission tonight. That is what we are capable of.…
The encouraging aspects of the game were the defensive buy-in from most of the roster in the form of 26 blocked shots, and the physicality and response to it from the opposition. In previous instances, the Leafs have allowed themselves to get pushed around and have not responded (re: Marchand’s hit on Timothy Liljegren), but there were examples of that against Los Angeles.
team building pic.twitter.com/JMAVBHilZO
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 3, 2024
The undercutting of Auston Matthews by Leafs nemesis Pierre-Luc Dubois drew multiple Toronto players in response and defenseman Simon Benoit had five hits and dropped the gloves with Kings blueliner Andreas Englund.
The Leafs take on the Anaheim Ducks in the second of back-to-back games on Wednesday and the biggest unanswered question is whether Jones will play on consecutive nights or if 22-year-old Dennis Hildeby will make his NHL debut. Keefe was hesitant to commit either way after the game.
“We want to give Hildeby an opportunity to get up to speed and get comfortable. You want to give him an opportunity to gain experience in the league. At the same time, Jones has played a lot of back-to-backs in his career. As far as back-to-backs go, this is as easy as it gets with the travel and two days off upcoming.… Keefe said. “We will have the talk — myself, Tre, Curtis Sanford, and Jones himself — and make that decision.…
*******
Please Subscribe to the Off The Post page on YouTube