Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Leafs on the verge of North title with win over Habs

May 7, 2021, 8:12 AM ET [289 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook!

For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a step closer to the locking up top spot in the North Division with a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. The Leafs victory coupled with the Edmonton Oilers loss to Vancouver gives Toronto an eight-point lead entering the final week of the regular season and a magic number of one with three games remaining.

Alex Galchenyuk, John Tavares, Pierre Engvall, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews scored for Toronto, and Jack Campbell made 19 saves for his 16th victory of the season. With his goal, Matthews increased his lead for the Rocket Richard Trophy to nine goals over Connor McDavid and reached the 40-goal plateau for the second straight season and third time in his five-year career, but the 23-year-old reached the mark in 49 games, putting him in the same goal scoring neighborhood as names like Gretzky, Bossy, Lemieux, Jagr, Bure and Mogilny.



“When a player of Auston’s caliber comes (into training camp) and is, first of all, prepared for it, but secondly goes out on the ice and is leading the charge for our group in terms of work ethic and competitiveness, attention to detail, it was very clear that he was ready to bring his game to another level.” Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. “That’s the caliber of player that he is, the caliber of person that he is and, again, just tremendous to see him get rewarded for that here. He’s not going to slow down, I have no doubts. He’s just going to keep pushing himself and our team to keep getting better here.”



The game was also record breaking for Campbell, who with the win moved to 16-2-2, eclipsing Hall of Famers George Hainsworth and Walter “Turk” Broda for the most wins in his first 20 starts.

The victory also increased the odds of a first round match between the Original Six rivals for the first time since 1979, since the Habs remain two points behind Winnipeg for third place in the North with the Jets having a game in hand.

The Leafs are 6-2-1 in nine games against the Habs and the two clubs finish up their season series on Saturday, but that may only be an appetizer of what is to come for the longtime rivals.


*******







*******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.*******
Join the Discussion: » 289 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Leafs Top Capitals; Benoit Signed To Three-Year Extension
» Matthews Game-Time Decision; 2023 Draftees Update; Leafs vs. Capitals
» Leafs Frustrated And Immature In Loss To Devils
» Practicing Load Management Down The Stretch; Leafs vs. Devils
» Woll Wonderful In Loss To Canes; Keefe Downplaying Samsonov Injury