For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs have become accustomed to playing extra time in January, as the contest between them and the Chicago Blackhawks became the sixth of their 10 games this month to go to overtime or a shootout.
After losing three straight non-regulation games to Columbus, St. Louis and Philadelphia, the Leafs ended their skid with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Blackhawks at the United Center on Wednesday.
William Nylander scored on a penalty shot just six seconds into the extra frame after a pass from Auston Matthews off the center ice faceoff sent him on a breakaway and forced Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith to slash the Leafs winger.
The game had a positive outcome for Toronto after some mixed results through regulation. Line changes made by head coach Mike Babcock did not generate a spark early in the game.
The Leafs were outshot 17-11 in the first and surrendered the opening goal on the power play to Brent Seabrook, but were fortunate to tie the game late in the period on Mitch Marner’s deflection of a Jake Gardiner shot.
“(The Hawks) were fast, we were slow in the first. They skated us into the ground and it looked like (Jonathan)Toews and (Patrick)Kane thought they should be the best players and we were just learning how to play.… Babcock said. “I didn't think we were hitting on all cylinders by any means, but in saying that, you've got to find ways to win games and we did today.…
Leafs fell back into more into their recent habits in the second and third periods, trying to limit the opposition’s offensive chances and relying heavily on Frederik Andersen to keep the game close. Andersen made 34 saves on the night and received some help from the posts and crossbar behind him, while former Marlies netminder Jeff Glass stopped 33 shots.
Free piggybacks. pic.twitter.com/TmJgaS8on4
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 25, 2018
The Leafs first power play unit finally broke through in the third, as Nazem Kadri scored his first goal in three weeks on a goalmouth feed from Tyler Bozak to give Toronto the lead, but that lasted less than three minutes, as Nick Schmaltz replied on a Chicago man advantage to tie the game.
Babcock challenged the goal for goaltender interference, as Artem Anisimov appeared to make contact with Andersen while he was laying prone on the ice, but officials deemed that the contact did not interfere with the Leafs goalie being able to stop the puck.
Hawks score, play is under review for goalie interference. pic.twitter.com/BVicgt5QTx
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) January 25, 2018
“I wasn’t quite sure about that one.… Kadri said after the game. “You try to compare plays and obviously every single one is unique. It’s more of a referee’s discretion and obviously he thought there was no contact there and it was no goal.…
Babcock indicated following the game that backup Curtis McElhinney would get the start in the second of back-to-back games against the Stars in Dallas on Thursday.
The Leafs are unlikely to take to the ice for anything other than an optional morning skate after flying to Texas after the game. Based on previous instances and the fact that Dallas is a more physical team, a rested Matt Martin and possibly even Josh Leivo get into the lineup, but both are on the ice in Dallas according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, which is an indicator that Babcock will go with the same lineup.
*******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.*******