The Toronto Maple Leafs needed to get off to a good start to the playoff stretch drive after losing five of their last six games headed into the bye week and All-Star break, and although there were momentary lapses that allowed Nashville to stay close, the Leafs put together a more complete performance in a 5-2 victory over the Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.
William Nylander, Zach Hyman, and rookie Rasmus Sandin each had a goal and assist, Jason Spezza and Auston Matthews also scored for Toronto, and Frederik Andersen made 34 saves for the victory which moved the Leafs to within two points of Florida and Carolina for third place in the Atlantic and the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot.
The Leafs allowed 15 shots in a sloppy first period, but jumped to the lead on Nylander’s 23rd goal of the season set up by a Sandin long bomb pass, and responded to Mikael Granlund’s tying goal with Hyman’s 13th goal. Sandin extended the lead in the middle frame, beating an out of position Pekka Rinne for his first career goal and Spezza made it 4-1 on a short-side blast.
Sandin, who played his 10th NHL game and started the clock on his three-year entry-level contract, appeared confident and at ease in the game. The 19-year-old played 15:42 on the night paired with veteran Cody Ceci and saw some time on Toronto’s second power play unit.
(Sandin scoring) was a big goal for us at that point in the game as well. I'm not surprised by the poise. I've come to expect that from him.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “He showed that through training camp and through this first recall as well, He's building really nicely there for us and fits in well too just having another player who puts the puck into our forwards' hands well and keeps the offense moving.”
Veteran Jake Muzzin led the Leafs with 22:38 in his first game back and the club played solid defensively at times and possessed the puck for long stretches, but needed a key save to prevent the Preds from getting a spark and Andersen came through with an incredible pad stop on Nashville forward Kyle Turris late in the second.
Toronto received a bit of a scare, as forward Kasperi Kapanen did not return for the second period after suffering an arm injury. Keefe indicated after the game that his x-rays were negative and the winger practiced with the club in Dallas on Tuesday with linemates Andreas Johnsson and Pierre Engvall, which is an encouraging sign that the speedy Finn will be back in the lineup against the Stars on Wednesday.
Kapanen has been one of the prominent names floated in trade rumors leading up to the February 24th deadline, but with nearly every mention has been the caveat that Dubas will only move a young forward signed for multiple years for a defenseman of similar age and contract status.
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