Thanks to all Leafs fans who visited Hockeybuzz for the days leading up to the Trade Deadline and on Deadline Day. The site saw more overall traffic than it did at last year and my column had over 3000 comments and thousands more checking in for updates on Leafs news.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs followed a familiar formula against the New York Rangers, blowing a 2-0 lead and allowing two short-handed goals on a third period power play, but Tyler Bozak’s second goal of the game at 1:51 of overtime salvaged a 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves for Toronto, who ended their three game post-Olympic losing streak and move into third place in the Atlantic Division with the victory.
The game was highlighted by the Ranger debut of Martin St. Louis, traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning early Wednesday morning for Rangers captain Ryan Callahan, New York’s 2015 1st round pick and a conditional draft pick. The 38-year-old former Art Ross Trophy winner led all New York forwards in ice time, but was held scoreless in his first game as a Ranger.
Toronto had some success playing a more conservative road game against the offensively challenged Broadway Blueshirts, holding them scoreless for the first forty minutes. The Leafs took the lead early in the middle frame after Bozak’s breakaway chance was hindered by defenseman John Moore. Bozak was awarded a penalty shot and snapped a wrist shot under the glove hand of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
The Leafs extended their lead to 2-0 early in the third, as Nikolai Kulemin stole the puck behind the New York net and worked his way to the slot to get a shot that rebounded straight to Nazem Kadri, who beat Lundqvist for his first goal in seven games, ut no lead ever appears to be safe for Randy Carlyle’s club, who for the second time in a week allow a pair of short-handed goals on a single minor penalty.
Ryan Mcdonagh’s shot deflected off of Dion Phaneuf’s skate past Bernier to narrow the lead to 2-1 and 1:19 later, Derek Stepan intercepted Phil Kessel’s pass and fed Dominic Moore to tie the game. The goal was the former Leaf’s fifth goal of the season, but third goal against Toronto in the last two games.
Toronto regained their composure, keeping the game tied through the end of regulation, but the Rangers nearly won the game with two minutes left as McDonagh’s shot got through Bernier but was swept away from the crease by defenseman Carl Gunnarsson.
In overtime, effective teamwork between two Leafs top liners resulted in the game winner, as Phil Kessel won a battle behind the net and backhanded a pass to a wide open Bozak in front of the net, who quickly fired a shot past Lundqvist for the victory.
“They scored the two goals and all the momentum went their way from then on, but what we were able to do later in the third period, we started to get the puck in and didn’t turn it over as many times.… a philosophical Randy Carlyle said following the game. “We got to look at it as two points that are huge right now. It doesn’t feel so good right now, because you’re frustrated with the way it went, but tomorrow in the standings it’ll show two points.…
The Leafs return home to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday before setting out on a difficult five game road trip that will have them face the three California teams(Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles) in the span of four days.
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The Maple Leafs transactions on Deadline Day were limited to recalls from the Toronto Marlies, as Peter Holland and Carter Ashton joined the club in New York before the 3pm deadline. NHL clubs are limited to four call-ups after the trade deadline until the end of the regular season and Toronto’s roster was at 21 players with the demotions of Frazer McLaren and Trevor Smith.
Smith cleared waivers on Wednesday, returning the Marlies team captain to the AHL club for the first time in over three months. One of Ashton or Holland will have to be returned to the Marlies once Dave Bolland is activated from the long term injury list.
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TSN’s Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger reported that the Leafs were in the mix along with a small number of teams before 3pm yesterday for Islanders winger Thomas Vanek. It was not disclosed what Toronto offered for the pending unrestricted free agent, but he ended up being moved to the Montreal Canadiens for a conditional 2nd round pick and prospect Sebastian Collberg.
Dreger indicated on TSN 1050’s Leafs Breakfast Thursday morning that Toronto was in the market for forward and blueline help, but that GM Dave Nonis was looking to make a “hockey deal… and not trade future assets.
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