The Toronto Maple Leafs are atop the NHL standings not only because Auston Matthews leads the league with 11 goals and Mitch Marner is in the top five in points, but due to the contributions from their depth players and from those who normally don’t get on the scoreboard. The Leafs recovered from an early deficit with three third period goals to beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 at the Bell Centre on Wednesday.
Travis Dermott, Justin Holl and Ilya Mikheyev scored their first goals of the season, Zach Hyman added an empty-netter, Jake Muzzin registered three assists and Frederik Andersen made 33 saves for the Leafs, who move five points ahead of Montreal at the top of the North Division and NHL with 23 points (11-2-1).
Dermott, who has been in and out of the lineup this season rotating with Mikko Lehtonen and Rasmus Sandin, scored for the first time since January 2, 2020 vs. Winnipeg, tying the game late in the middle frame beating Habs goalie Carey Price over his blocker.
The Leafs took control in the third with a pair of goals 42 seconds apart. Holl scored his first of the season on a long blast just inside the blueline, and Mikheyev added the eventual game-winner on a rebound for his first goal since December 27, 2019 (the night he suffered a wrist laceration in New Jersey).
“I thought we caught (Montreal) on their heels a little bit and we attacked a lot quicker and transition. All those kind of things really helped us there. I thought we were really good defensively as well, even when he when they got the puck there at the start of the third. We created a lot of turnovers and helped us transition. That was a big a big part of it. Obviously, Justin Holl's slapshot had lot to do with it too.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game.
I feel great for (Ilya). First of all, he's worked extremely hard, not just in our games, and he's had a ton of chances and he's really worked, he's maintained his good defensive play. He's continued to work at his game in practices and off days, development days. It's nice to see him get rewarded, for sure. You like to see that.”
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