The Toronto Maple Leafs resorted to their usual post-Olympic modus operandi in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, yielding the lead twice in the third period and salvaging two points as Joffrey Lupul scored at 2:21 of the extra frame at Air Canada Center on Saturday.
Toronto jumped out front early on goals from Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri and thoroughly dominated the first period outshooting the Flyers 14-9, but Flyers goalie Steve Mason limited the damage with a number of excellent stops to keep Philadelphia within striking distance.
The Leafs started the middle frame with a flurry of opportunities as well, but slowly the Flyers began to take control of the play and cycle the puck effectively. Jonathan Bernier was sharp in a 28 save effort but had to deal Philadelphia’s game plan of going to the net against the Leafs questionable defensive corps.
That plan paid off with less than two minutes remaining in the second, as Scott Hartnell and Brayden Coburn headed to the net and distracted the Leafs goaltender enough to allow Kimmo Timonen’s shot through to narrow the lead to 2-1.
“We had as much energy as we‘ve displayed all year early in the hockey game, and then we just flattened right out.… a jovial Randy Carlyle stated following the game.
The Flyers pressed for the tying goal in the third by having their defense jump into the offensive attack. Blueliner Mark Streit was thwarted on the doorstep by Bernier’s left pad, but moments later Timonen tied the game with a backhander just in front of the Toronto goal.
The top unit of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk was uncharacteristically held off the scoreboard on the evening, but Toronto benefited from a rare output of secondary offense. With just over six minutes remaining, unlikely combo of Troy Bodie and Jay McClement set up Mason Raymond for his 18th goal of the season to give the Leafs a 3-2 lead.
Bodie had his first two point night as a Leaf, assisting on both Gardiner and Raymond’s goal and was named one of the game’s three stars.
“(Bodie) is very noticeable.… Carlyle said. “He’s been strong on the forecheck, he’s a big, hardworking honest hockey player.…
The Leafs again lost the one goal lead with 2:32 remaining in regulation, as Carlyle puzzlingly put out Gardiner and Cody Franson for a defensive zone faceoff. Bozak lost the draw and Gardiner was unable to prevent Vincent Lecavalier from screening Bernier from seeing Coburn’s point blast.
The game winner was a bit of nifty passing as Kadri gained the offensive zone, fed Carl Gunnarsson at the point, who slid a pass to Phaneuf down deep and feathered it cross-crease to Lupul for his 19th on the year.
Since the Leafs resumed play on February 27, they have held a lead of one goal or more in the final 20 minutes of regulation in four of five games and have failed to hold the lead in every instance. Toronto has earned six of a possible ten points in these contests, which currently have them in good position to make the playoffs for a second season in a row, but does not give the Blue and White a favorable outlook for success when it matters in the post-season.
“It sometimes can be inexperience by us, but it’s also the other team being desperate.… Lupul said following the game. “We’d like to do a better job defending or actually staying on the offense, but sometimes the other team is going to make plays too.…
*******
Toronto now embarks on a five game road trip that starts with a challenging three game in four night swing through California. The Leafs face Anaheim on Monday, which should be special for ex-Ducks Lupul, Bodie, Peter Holland and Gardiner( former 1st pick who never played for the club), as well as Carlyle, who went 262-182-61 and won a Stanley Cup in over six seasons in Southern California.
The health status of David Clarkson is in question at the start of the 10 day road trip, as the winger was sidelined with a muscle pull Saturday morning and required enforcer Frazer McLaren to be recalled on an emergency basis from the Toronto Marlies.
“We have to have an assessment from our medical staff.… Carlyle said.
Clarkson has missed a total of 21 games this season due to suspension and injury.
*******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.*******
For Those on Twitter: Follow @mikeinbuffalo
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.