On a positive note, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson played a solid game and made some spectacular saves to keep the Leafs close. The Maple Leaf defense played a relatively solid game allowing only two goals against on thirty two shots on net. The penalty kill was perfect again allowing no goals on two power plays for the Rangers. The Leafs were generating chances for themselves by drawing five power plays and creating some solid scoring chances. Colby Armstrong scored his first goal of the season on a "crash the net" type goal that we know he is accustomed too.
On the flip side, the Maple Leaf defense core had a momentary lapse and allowed the Rangers to crash the net and take advantage of loose pucks in the crease to jump ahead 2-0 in the first period. The number of blocked shots was twelve, while the Rangers managed to block thirty! The puck support by the team was disjointed as the gap between forwards and defense was too wide during the transition making it easy for the Rangers to defend the Leaf attack. To compound the issue further, the Rangers got burned the the quick transition of the Leafs and were well prepared by clogging the neutral zone and playing a defensive game.
The Leafs can refocus for the Flyers on Saturday who are going to play a similar defensive style that the Rangers played last night. Supporting the puck in all three zones is going to require the most attention for the Leafs, since they have gotten away from this in the last two losses. Scoring 4+ goals every night is not going to happen often in the NHL, low scoring games are more the norm. Having multiple strategies on offense that include dump and chase or outnumbering the other team down low and around the crease to generate "lunch bucket" goals will be necessary. The loss should serve as a reality check to the Leafs that every night will require 100% effort of smart hockey combined with outworking the other team.
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