The problems that have plagued the Toronto Maple Leafs over the last week popped up once again, as the club fell behind early to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night due to defensive gaffes and subpar goaltending and spent most of the evening trying to make up for those mistakes.
Toronto erased two Montreal leads in the key Atlantic Division contest, but Tomas Plekanec’s goal midway through the third period gave the Canadiens a 4-3 victory, moving them five points ahead of the Leafs and putting Toronto’s playoff position in great peril.
Max Pacioretty and Rene Bourque scored 1:05 apart early in the first period to put the Leafs in a 2-0 hole, but Toronto’s Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak responded to tie the game. Just as momentum appeared to be in the Blue and White’s favor, Habs captain Brian Gionta’s shot deflected off of defenseman Tim Gleason and past James Reimer to re-establish Montreal’s lead after 20 minutes.
After a scoreless middle frame, the Leafs tied the game early in the third on the power play, as Lupul dished from behind the net to Nazem Kadri, but Montreal responded with 8:46 remaining in regulation as James van Riemsdyk’s goaltender interference penalty expired, PK Subban found Plekanec at the side of the net, whose shot beat Reimer to the short side post.
While there is not a level of defeatism reflected in Toronto’s performance on the ice, frustration is clearly starting to show, as Phil Kessel was verbally expressive with linemates van Riemsdyk and Bozak after a missed scoring chance and Reimer raised his eyes to the rafters numerous times after Montreal goals.
Kessel was primarily responsible for the Pacioretty goal, giving away the puck and allowing the Habs forward an unhindered shot at the Toronto net, as well as missing on a breakaway chance in the third that would have put the Leafs in the lead.
Reimer cannot be held solely responsible for the loss on Saturday or the three previous losses, but the former number one goalie appears unsure of himself to the point where any quality scoring chance is going in the net.
The loss on Saturday looks to have put the hope of finishing in the top three of the Atlantic Division out of reach, as Tampa Bay is six points in front and Montreal has opened a five point lead on Toronto.
The Leafs are now at a distinct disadvantage in the race for a wild card spot, as they have only 10 games left and 80 points, while Philadelphia defeated St. Louis on Saturday and has 83 points with 12 games remaining. The New York Rangers are two points ahead of the Leafs but equal in games after a 2-0 shutout of the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
Detroit has 79 points with 12 games remaining and has won three games in a row after a 3-2 win in Minnesota on Saturday, while Washington is just one point behind the Leafs after a 3-2 shootout win in San Jose. Columbus has 78 points, two games in hand and faces the New York Islanders in a Sunday matinee in Uniondale.
Leafs coach Randy Carlyle indicated after the game that goaltender Jonathan Bernier would not travel with the team to New Jersey for their game against the Devils on Sunday night.
The club will not have a morning skate at the Prudential Center, which will not give any preliminary indication whether Carlyle will stick with Reimer in the second of back-to-back games or opt to give 30-year-old minor-league veteran Drew MacIntyre his first NHL start.
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One bright spot for Toronto was the return of center Dave Bolland, who played in his first game after missing 56 games with an ankle tendon laceration.
The 27-year-old played mostly with fellow Mimico, ON native winger David Clarkson and threw his weight around early in the game.
“I felt great.… Bolland said. “I felt pretty good with everything that was going on out there in all situations.…
Carlyle was cautious with the veteran in his first game back, as Bolland played 9:04 against Montreal.
“I used him sparingly, I just thought that he would be able to play just around 10 minutes or so.… Carlyle said. “I don’t think you can expect anything more from a guy that hasn’t played in 60 games.…
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The contest in Newark on Sunday is not only a critical game for Toronto in their pursuit of a playoff spot, but also a homecoming of sorts for David Clarkson, who returns to New Jersey for the first time since signing with the Leafs last July.
“I would be lying if I said it was something that you don’t think about,… Clarkson said to Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record. “I don’t know how the fans will act, but I am looking forward to going back. I spent a long time in my career there and I really enjoyed that city.…
The 29-year-old winger has struggled to find his way with the Leafs after signing a seven-year, $36.75 million contract as an unrestricted free agent, with just four goals and six assists in 50 games.
Clarkson has been plagued by injury, suspensions and the adjustment of finding his way in a new system with a new organization.
“I’m starting to feel a little better, but it’s been tough,… Clarkson said. “You start the season off with the suspension and a new coach and he, obviously, wasn’t happy about it. Then, you try to come back and get injured and then come back for 10 (games) and get suspended again for two games for a hit to the head. And then come back and injure my foot and then come back again and have elbow surgery. So, I haven’t really been able to put together a seven-game period where I’ve been healthy. And I’ve been asked to play a bit of a different role, which takes time to get used to as well.…
The Mimico, ON native was -2 and played less than nine minutes in the 4-3 loss to Montreal and has been held pointless in the last 12 games.
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