First period

The Blackhawks played one of the best first periods they have played all season. In what is normally a struggle for them to get through, they outplayed their opponents finally. Halfway through the period, Dominic Toninato won a faceoff back to Wyatt Kaiser. He moved in and wristed a shot into the upper right corner of the net, making it 1-0 Blackhawks.

admin stands corrected, this is a Wyatt Kaiser goal https://t.co/F9isOrGdnQ pic.twitter.com/XFu8qGI3BY

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 17, 2025

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Just a couple of minutes later, the Blackhawks had what looked like a good goal called back for goaltender interference, even though it looked like Joseph Woll moved all on his own. Jason Dickinson would get a goal, however, on a shorthanded opportunity with five minutes left in the period to make it 2-0 Blackhawks.

#⃣1⃣6⃣ with a beautiful shorthanded goal pic.twitter.com/NGOJ1Z49AK

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 17, 2025

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That would be how the first period would end, with the Blackhawks having the lead for the first time in a long while.

Second period

In what was a relatively uneventful second period, as both teams traded shots back and forth, with no one really getting anything close to past either goaltender. The second period would end the same as it started, with the Blackhawks still up 2-0.

Third period

It took until halfway through the third period for the Maple Leafs to put one in the net, but they finally managed to beat Knight. Oliver Ekman-Larsson got the puck off of the draw and put it over the glove of Knight, 2-1 Blackhawks. Six and a half minutes later, Toninato got called for holding the stick on Nick Robertson. On the ensuing power play, the Blackhawks had a bad turnover to Auston Matthews. He skated out front with the puck and wristed it past Knight, knotting it up at 2-2. Then, on the ensuing face-off, the Blackhawks forgot how to play defense and Knight forgot how to goaltend. The Maple Leafs dumped the puck in, and instead of clearing it to the side of the net, Knight just let the rebound go right in front. Louis Crevier got beat by Dakota Joshua, who scored to put the Maple Leafs ahead 3-2.

Nick Lardis got a big opportunity in the dying seconds of the game, but the Blackhawks would drop this heartbreaker 3-2.

Analysis

The Blackhawks really look like a different team without Connor Bedard in the lineup. They do not have the energy to finish games, and do not show the same intensity that they ordinarily have shown with him. This team needs to play better regardless, as this game was a defensive disaster in the third period. Letting up two goals in nine seconds cannot happen, especially when you get out-hustled to make the first goal and the second goal happen. These games can be long for young guys, but you have to put your best effort every shift, and this team needs to be able to do that night in and night out to get points in the standings and climb out of the funk that they find themselves in.

The Blackhawks’ next game is on Thursday night in Quebec to take on the Montreal Canadiens. That game will be at 6 p.m. CST on CHSN.

The post RECAP: Blackhawks allow late comeback, lose to Maple Leafs 3-2 appeared first on The Rink.

“That was pretty cool,” Dach said after the win. “That was a good comeback by the guys. I think, like I said, we’re having a lot of fun. We have great chemistry. We just got to keep riding with it and good things will happen.”

Chicago has now gone 4-0-1 in their last five games after goaltender Spencer Knight stopped 31 shots against the Maple Leafs.

First period

Ryan Greene started the scoring for Chicago with a snap shot after Artyom Levshunov made a great play, dragging tired defenders toward him and their eyes to him and slid a pass through the defenders, finding Greene at the bottom of the circle. Greene’s second goal of the season was assisted by Levshunov and defensman Wyat Kaiser.

Ryan Greene – Chicago Blackhawks (2) pic.twitter.com/PnGFk1sH8N

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 16, 2025

Toronto scored with 0:48 left in the first period when Nicholas Robertson scored his fifth goal of the season off a wrist shot that beat Knight. The goal was assisted by John Tavares.

Second period

Morgan Rielly scored his third of the season at the 9:37 mark of the middle period on a wrist shot that beat Knight. The goal, assisted by Oliver Ekman-Larssson and William Nylander, was the only action of the second period and the “comeback kids” once again found themselves down 2-1 going into the third period.

Third period

Teuvo Teravainen buried home a flip shot past Toronto goaltender Joseph Woll with an assist from Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore. Teravainen found himself down low and roofed a sweet shot over the helpless Woll.

Teuvo Teravainen – Chicago Blackhawks (4) pic.twitter.com/JJnDtyiy0o

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) November 16, 2025

Chicago would finish off the Maple Leafs for the 3-2 victory as Dach tipped home his aforementioned second of the season as defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Ilya Mikheyev assisted on the play.

Colton Dach gets a stick on it as the @NHLBlackhawks take the late lead! pic.twitter.com/woWCUQqeN1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 16, 2025

Chicago is back on home ice versus the struggling Calgary Flames for a 7:30 p.m. CST puck drop on Tuesday.

Analysis

Connor Bedard was held without a point for the first time in 10 games but the young phenom still shows with his skill and speed that he can affect games in so many ways, even without denting the scoresheet.

Knight has shown flashes of brilliance with his .924 save percentage. Knight has looked cool and collected and not fighting the puck after giving up goals, something he was known to do in his first few seasons in the NHL. The 24-year-old Darien, Connecticut, product continually sees over 30 shots per night but has been a brick wall as the young defensemen continue to figure out their games.

The post RECAP: Chicago scores twice in third in 3-2 defeat of Toronto appeared first on The Rink.

Before the game, the Blackhawks honored organist Frank Pellico for his 30 years of service to the organization. Pellico was retiring after the contest. He will be missed by Blackhawks fans.

The soundtrack to countless memories, thank you Frank! pic.twitter.com/ngl3m35PbB

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 24, 2025

The only changes to the Hawks lineup were Arvid Soderblom in net and Nolan Allan in for Ethan Del Mastro.

First period

Chicago came out fired up after the two national anthems. The Hawks were all over Toronto early. Chris Tanev of the Leafs was called for a cross-check to the back of Landon Slaggert. On the ensuing power play, Teuvo Tervainen potted his 13th goal of the season.

With this goal, Teuvo Teräväinen’s point total stands at 5⃣0⃣0⃣! pic.twitter.com/rjtECthIF5

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) February 24, 2025

The goal was Teravainen’s 500th career point. Chicago finished the first period up 1–0.

Second period

In the second period, the Leafs found their legs. Toronto dominated the period, spending the majority of the period in the Hawks’ defensive zone. Nicholas Robertson scored his ninth goal of the season on a Leafs power play. Former Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe added a point-shot goal of his own. Robertson scored again very late in the second period to extend the Toronto lead to 3–1.

Philipp Kurashev answered the Robertson goal with less than 10 seconds remaining in the period. The Kurashev goal was set up by the filthy mitts of Frank Nazar. Nazar dangled his way past Max Domi to set up the goal.

Kurashev makes it a one goal game pic.twitter.com/u2pxQAmc8q

— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) February 24, 2025

Third period

Tanev fired a shot from the point that ricocheted off TJ Brodie for the Leafs’ fourth goal. Pontus Holmberg netted an empty-netter to seal the victory for Toronto. The Hawks lost 5–2.

Analysis

The trio of Brodie, Seth Jones and Alec Martinez was really bad in this one. Jones, who wants out of Chicago, is continuing to lower his trade value with his poor play. Martinez turned in another stinker on the blue line. Plus/minus is not a great stat, but these three defensemen were a -5 on the game. The expectation should be that all three of these defenseman are not with the Blackhawks next season.

Lukas Reichel was benched after the first period and half of hockey. Head Coach Anders Sorensen said “he didn’t like his game.”

Soderblom played a good game despite his numbers. His play was not enough to overcome the poor play of his defense. Nazar put together another strong performance with an assist and drove the puck to the net.

Could the 4 Nations Face-off break have hurt Connor Bedard? Before the break, he had points in 20 of 21 games. There could be a change in linemates in the future. After the break, he has gone scoreless in two games. With 24 games remaining, the Hawks will be looking to trade Ryan Donato and sort out the roster for next season.

The Hawks will take on the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday at 8 p.m. CST.

The post RECAP: Blackhawks lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 appeared first on The Rink.

First period

The Leafs lit the lamp first when Auston Matthews scored his sixth of the season. Oliver Ekman-Larsson started a rush up ice from behind his own net, fed William Nylander, who entered the zone and fed Matthews, who skated in alone and flipped one past Soderblom at 15:35 to give Toronto a 1–0 lead after one.

Second period

At the 11:59 mark, John Tavares scored his 11th of the season to give Toronto a 2–0 lead. Tavares fired a shot from the half boards that pinballed in off Alex Vlasic’s stick to extend the Leafs’ lead. Toronto would take the 2–0 lead into the locker room after 40 minutes.

Third period

The Blackhawks cut the deficit in half on a Lukas Reichel tally. Former Maple Leaf defenseman TJ Brodie shot the puck from the left circle, which Stolartz stopped, but Reichel was at the doorstep to poke in his third of the season at 3:26. The Hawks trailed 2–1.

Net battle pic.twitter.com/0G73znGPSb

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 3, 2024

Just 21 seconds later, the Leafs regained a two-goal lead when Fraser Minten scored his second of the season. A shot from the point by Conor Timmins missed the net and took a fortunate bounce off the boards past a bewildered Wyatt Kaiser right out in front to Minten, who beat Soderblom from in close to give a Toronto a 3–1 lead at 3:47.

The Leafs added an empty-net tally by Matthew Knies at 18:15 to give Toronto a 4–1 advantage and that would be the final. For Knies, it was his 10th of the season.

Analysis

For most of the game, the effort was there as the Hawks outplayed the Leafs. Stolarz stood tall and kept the Hawks off the scoresheet for the majority of the game. In fact, for the first time since Nov. 6, the Hawks outshot their opponent, as they finished with a 28–22 advantage in shots on goal. After the Hawks cut it to 2–1 only to give the goal right back 21 seconds later, the wind was taken out of their sails and the Leafs cruised to the win.

The Hawks look to end their current three-game losing streak on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins at United Center. Puck drop is at 6:30 p.m. CST on TNT and on CHSN with the radio call on 720 AM WGN.

The post RECAP: Hawks drop third straight, 4–1, in Toronto despite strong effort appeared first on The Rink.

First period

Because of a Toronto penalty, Artturi Lehkonen scored his eighth goal of the season in his 500th career game. Nathan MacKinnon, who extended his point streak to 28 games and Cale Makar assisted him. Makar is now tied with Tyson Barrie for most points by a defenseman in Avalanche history with 307.

Good stick, Lehky! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/iqmRdoNww6

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024

Nathan MacKinnon continues his home point streak and the Avs have a 1-0 lead!#GoAvsGp | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/y85YgZTbaS

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024

About halfway through the first frame, Andrew Cogliano notched his fifth of the season, making it 2–0.

Take notes #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7EYEMF6bbd

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024

MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen both picked up points on the play. MacKinnon with his second and Rantanen with his first.

Just over halfway in the first, Ross Colton received a penalty for interference. 33 seconds into the penalty kill, Tyler Bertuzzi from Toronto sends the puck past Alexandar Georgiev. Mitch Marner assisted him (49) and William Mylander (45) on the play.

BIRTHDAY BOY BERT pic.twitter.com/womdqBgA5a

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024

Second period

The first half of the second period was scoreless. Maple Leafs goaltender, Ilya Samsonov, saw shots from Logan O’Connor and Bowen Byram, but none of them made it through.

Five minutes into the period, Bertuzzi scored his second of the game. Bertuzzi scored his second of the game with help from Nylander once again and Max Domi (23). This goal tied the game at two.

BIRTHDAY BERT x2!!! pic.twitter.com/MP3P9VQ2DS

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024

Marner scored the only other goal in the period. He put the Maple Leafs ahead by one with assists from Matthew Knies and TJ Brodie.

No tips for these tricks pic.twitter.com/agzLBSOyaq

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024

Third period

Mikko Rantanen scored his 30th goal of the season from MacKinnon (62) and Bowen Byram (12).

Rantanen extends his point collection to 73 (30g/44a) on the season so far. He currently sits at No.10 in the NHL for the most points in the 2023-24 season. He becomes the first Avalanche player to score over 30 goals in four consecutive seasons.

Apple bottom jeans, Moose with the goal (THE GOAL) #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7eXAVvCM4G

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 25, 2024

Rantanen took an unfortunate puck-over-the-glass delay-of-game penalty with 2:51 left in the third period. Bertuzzi scored his third career hat trick on Toronto’s second power play of the night.

BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!!
BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!!
BIRTHDAY HATTY!!!! pic.twitter.com/qwB3kHQyJe

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 25, 2024

Up Next

The Avalanche will be back at Ball Arena on Tuesday, February 27, to face off against the Dallas Stars at 7:30 p.m.

The post Avalanche struggle on the penalty kill, fall to Maple Leafs 4–3 appeared first on The Rink.

The Colorado Avalanche did not have a good first period to start their first matchup of this season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Avalanche made up for that with a strong second period in which they scored two unanswered goals. Their third period continued the push to dominate the game and take back control, ending with another two goals.

The Avalanche top line dominated the game, especially in the second period. With a further power play goal, Colorado continued to add points to their tally. Jack Johnson has a lower-body Injury (LBI) so fans will have to wait to learn how long he will be out of the lineup.

In – Josh Manson #42

Out – Valeri Nichushkin #13 and still no sign of Miles Wood

Tonight Jack Johnson will play in his 1150th NHL game, he will be only the 47th defenseman of all time to reach the mark #GoAvsGo

— Avs Stats (@avsstats) January 13, 2024

First Period

At the end of the first period, with the score Avalanche–0 and Toronto–3, there weren’t many positives to talk about. Valeri Nichushkin’s net front presence was missed as he was absent from the lineup. Josh Manson, back in with his strong defensive habits, was having a positive impact. The score could well have been Toronto Maple Leafs with five goals had Alexandar Georgiev not made several really sound saves.

An All-Star goal from an All-Star guy #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/WeXOxXc7Ys

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 14, 2024

The Avalanche started the game with strong forechecking, but they just couldn’t beat the strong Maple Leafs defense and goaltender Martin Jones. Midway through the first period, the Avalanche top line had a strong shift with play that showed their determination to win the puck, keep it and score. The problem was they didn’t score.

Logan O’Connor had several really strong chances, as we have seen from him over the past weeks. There is a reason he is playing on the 2nd line, and yes with Nichushkin out he was the obvious choice to be elevated.

Avalanche SOG 8  Maple Leafs SOG 14

In that period the Avalanche got out muscled and out shot.

Second Period

The Avalanche top line (Mikko Rantanen – Nathan MacKinnon – Jonathan Drouin) ramped up their intensity level in the second period. The result was two goals scored. Alexandar Georgiev looked strong in the net to shutout some very strong shots from the Maple Leafs scorers. It was the Avalanche’s commitment to level the score that had each of the lines performing and having more of the overall play during the period. The top line forced a 5 on 4, then 5 on 3 power play and whilst Jonathan Drouin scored during the first power play, the second provided no score. Ross Colton, Logan O’Connor and Drouin had several good scoring chances.

With Logan O’Connor called for a penalty, the concern was, would the one goal advantage for the Maple Leafs become two goals again? The Avs penalty kill stayed strong to shut down the Leafs and keep the score at 1–3. It was then Mikko Rantanen that put home the second goal for the Avalanche. Jonathan Drouin is showing the value of having him on the top line with MacKinnon and Rantanen by continuously offering scoring opportunities, or putting the puck in the net.

Avalanche SOG 20  Maple Leafs SOG 23

A much stronger period by the Avs in the 2nd.

Third Period

The Avalanche came out strongly in the third period, continuing their push from the second. With the Avs on the power play, it was Andrew Cogliano who tied the game. It was Cogliano’s first score in 23 games. He was due. The goal came from a great over the shoulder shot on the Leafs goalie, with a good screen in front of the net. Again, as has been clear in recent games, the Avalanches power play was strong. The power play put four shots on the net during their two minutes in the third period.

Colton tried twice to score the empty netter with less than a minute to go, and only scored on his second try. A great pass by Ryan Johansen set up the goal.

The Avalanche defensive play and Georgiev’s strength in net allow the home team, the Maple Leafs, to remain scoreless. The Avalanche’s four unanswered goals showed their focus on winning.

5 straight wins for the @Avalanche. pic.twitter.com/mmFg1HO9zT

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 14, 2024

Part way through the third period, the news came through that Jack Johnson would not return. Jack Johnson hadn’t started the third period and reports state that he has a lower-body injury. We will have to wait to see how long that will keep him out of the game.

Avalanche SOG 33  Maple Leafs SOG 29

The Avalanche had a strong third period to finish out the game.

It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.#COLvsTOR #GoAvsGo https://t.co/1J4Tm0lHof

— Conor McGahey (@ConorMcGahey) January 14, 2024

The post Avalanche start slow but finish strong against Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

Chicago rolled out the following lineup:

#Blackhawks lineup vs. Maple Leafs:
Reichel-Bedard-Kurashev
T. Johnson-Guttman-Raddysh
Foligno-Dickinson-Anderson
Katchouk-Donato-R. Johnson

Vlasic-Jones
Korchinski-Murphy
Kaiser-Phillips

Söderblom
Mrazek

Extras: Entwistle, Perry, Zaitsev
IR: Athanasiou, Hall, Tinordi

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023

First period

In a fast-moving first period, Kevin Korchinski and Arvid Soderblom made two egregious mistakes in their own zone, but thankfully neither led to a Leafs goal. The Leafs did eventually break through with a goal from Nicholas Robertson. Maxi Domi fed a pass that went through five red sweater to Robertson, who buried the shot.

The Leafs’ lead did not last long, as Jason Dickinson scored the equalizer at 12 minutes remaining in the period.

Jason Dickinson snaps home his fourth goal of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/zybWSgXVem

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023

After allowing the early goal, Soderblom settled in to withstand the rest of the Toronto barrage in the period. The period ended with the score tied at 1–1 despite the Hawks being outshot 15–6.

Second period

The second period started with the Blackhawks and Leafs playing 4-on-4 hockey, The Leafs broke the tie with a goal from Calle Jarnkrok. Jarnkrok got a cross-ice pass from TJ Brodie that led to the tap-in.

Less than three minutes later, the Leafs padded their lead. Ryan Reaves tapped in a backdoor shot to give the Leafs a 3–1 lead. After weathering another storm from the Leafs, the Hawks got their second goal of the game from Dickinson.

Jason Dickinson scores his second of the game and fifth of the season. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/9gvXyKmGCQ

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023

After the second Dickinson goal, the Hawks got some great shifts from the Connor Bedard line and a shift lead by Alex Vlasic. The Hawks controlled the end of the period, keeping the score at 3–2 Leafs after 40 minutes.

Third period

In the third period, the Dickinson line got the puck deep into the Toronto line. Nick Foligno forced a turnover, which squibbed out to Dickinson, who buried the puck for his first career hat trick.

Jason Dickinson strapping Chicago on his back with a hat trick. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/LzQxRk2NUI

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023

With 10 minutes left in the period, it was the Ryan Donato, Boris Katchouk and Reese Johnson line drawing penalties from Reaves and William Lagesson.

Chaos at the United Center between Chicago and Toronto. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/Nd7zWnfpzx

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023 

After the skirmish, there were two Hawks and two Leafs in the box but no power play. It started getting really chippy afterwards. Regulation ended with the score tied at 3–3.

Overtime

This overtime period was chaos, with quality chances on both sides—the best being William Nylander hitting the post and cross bar on a breakaway. Soderblom made some great saves in overtime to keep the Hawks in this game. After the Soderblom save, the Hawks controlled the puck and got the game-winner from Korchinski after the puck bounced off the end glass and the top of the net following a Bedard slot shot.

Kevin Korchinski with the wild overtime winner. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/aFE05SMc9Y

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) November 24, 2023

The victory would give the Hawks a season sweep against Toronto after beating the Leafs in Toronto during Chicago’s season-opening road trip.

Analysis

The Hawks’ young defensemen were outmatched by the high-flying Leafs early in the game. In addition to the defense being outmatched, Soderblom did not trust the defense to cover up for him, leading him to overcompensate for their errors. His overcompensation led to easy tap-in goals for the Leafs early. He did settle in and make great save after great save to give the Hawks the victory.

The Hawks’ best line of the game was the third line with Anderson, Dickinson and Nick Foligno. They generated three goals and several good shifts. The line brought energy and scoring, which caused the rest of the team to work hard. The Hawks outworked the Leafs in this game to overcome the two-goal deficit and tie in the third period. Dickinson also became the first Ontario-born player to have a hat trick against the Leafs since Perry did it in 2015.

Vlasic and Isaak Phillips turned in solid games from the blue line and made some plays in the offensive zone. This game was the mark of a Luke Richardson-led team; the team worked hard and got the win.

The Blackhawks were also able to hold Nylander pointless in the contest, snapping Nylander’s 17-game point streak to open the season.

The Hawks’ next game is Sunday against the St. Louis Blues. Puck drop is at 1 p.m. CST.

The post RECAP: Dickinson powers Blackhawks to 4–3 overtime win over Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

After a scoreless first period, the Blackhawks struck first when Andreas Athanasiou found MacKenzie Entwistle in the slot, who used the defenseman as a screen and snapped one past Woll to give the Hawks a 1–0 lead. For Entwistle, who was making his regular season debut, it was his first of the season at 2:59 of the second.

BIG MAC pic.twitter.com/OMFrkia0Mq

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 17, 2023

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The Leafs tied it when William Nylander skated into the slot and dropped it off to John Tavares, who snapped one high glove side for his first of the season at the 5:14 mark, leveling the score at 1–1.

The Hawks broke the tie when Alex Vlasic from his own end made a beautiful tape-to-tape pass to Corey Perry past the center line, who went in alone and scored stick side for his first as a Blackhawk and 418th of his career. The Hawks took a 2–1 lead at 14:46.

COREY IN THE HOUSE pic.twitter.com/5AzHjpjFUe

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 17, 2023

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Chicago extended its lead to 3–1 by scoring on the power play for the first time of the season. Kevin Korchinski skated through the neutral zone and dropped a pass to Athanasiou, who drove in and flipped a pass to Tyler Johnson, who went in alone and snapped in his third of the young season at 17:05. For Korchinski, it was his first career point. The Blackhawks took the two-goal lead into the second intermission.

What a play pic.twitter.com/OMa4LIYn34

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 17, 2023

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Trailing by two, Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe pulled the goaltender with just under four minutes in regulation. The Leafs generated multiple high-quality chances, but Soderblom stood strong. Taylor Hall appeared to have iced the game with an empty-net goal with 54.1 seconds remaining, however, the play was challenged, and after review, the call was overturned and ruled offside. With 6.2 seconds remaining, the Leafs appeared to have cut it to 3–2, however, after a coach’s challenge by Blackhawks bench boss Luke Richardson, the play was deemed to be offside and the goal was waved off, so the time was reset back to 51 seconds.

With 13.3 seconds remaining, the Leafs went on the power play after Jason Dickinson was penalized for cross checking. The Hawks quickly retrieved the puck and Taylor Raddysh fired it into the empty net with six seconds left for his first of the season to increase the lead to 4–1 and seal it for the visitors.

Analysis

After a grueling stretch to open the season with three games in five nights, all on the road, the Blackhawks did not hold a morning skate on Monday and it paid off. The Hawks looked much more energized than in their loss on Saturday in Montreal. Soderblom was clearly the best player on the ice for Chicago, as he made several big time saves. Vlasic stood out as having had a strong outing and has established himself as a legitimate NHLer at this point. On the flip side, Wyatt Kaiser again struggled in the game, further raising questions about if he is really ready to handle NHL action.

The Blackhawks return to action on Thursday night in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. Puck drop is at 9:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN with the radio call on WGN 720.

The post Blackhawks Post-game One-timers — Oct. 16 at Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

Date	The-Rink Division	Outgoing Player/Pick	Opposite Team	Player/Pick Received
2/22/2023		Future Consideration		Nikita Zaitsev '23 2nd Round Pick '26 4th Round Pick
2/23/2023		Josiah Slavin		Hunter Drew
2/26/3023		Jack Johnson		Andreas Englund
2/27/3023		Jake McCabe (50% retained) Sam Lafferty Conditional '24 5th rd pick Conditional '25 5th rd pick		Joey Anderson Pavel Gogolev '25 1st-round pick (top 10 protected) '26 2nd-round pick
2/27/3023	Rockford IceHogs	Future Considerations	Manitoba Moose	Colin Bilek
2/28/3023	Rockford IceHogs	Adam Clendening	Hartford Wolfpack	Zach Jordan
2/28/3023		Patrick Kane (50% retained) Cooper Zech	via	23 2nd Rd Pick (conditional 1st) 4th Rd Pick Vili Saarijarvi Andy Welinski
3/2/3023		Future Considerations		Anders Bjork
3/2/3023	Rockford IceHogs	Carson Gicewicz	Rochester Americans	Future Considerations
3/2/3023		Max Domi Dylan Wells		25 2nd Rd Pick Anton Khudobin
3/2/3023		Dylan Sikura		Max Golod
3/2/3023	Rockford IceHogs	Future Considerations	San Diego Gulls	Rocco Grimaldi Logan Nijhoff
3/3/3023		Future Considerations		Austin Wagner

Trade Analysis/Break Down:

• • • Chicago Blackhawks acquired Nikita Zaitsev, 2023 2nd Round Pick and 2026 4th Round Pick from the Ottawa Senators for future considerations
    • Chicago Blackhawks acquired Hunter Drew from the Anaheim Ducks for Josiah Slavin.
    • Chicago Blackhawks acquired Andreas Englund from The Colorado Avalanche for Jack Johnson
    • Chicago Blackhawks trade Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, a conditional 2024 5th-round pick & a conditional 2025 5th-round pick to Toronto for a 2025 1st-round pick (top 10 protected), a 2026 2nd-round pick, Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev.
    • The Arizona Coyotes acquired Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks for Vili Saarijarvi
    • The New York Rangers Acquired Patrick Kane from the Arizona Coyotes for a 2025 conditional 3rd Round Pick
    • The Chicago Blackhawks acquired 2023 conditional 2nd Round Pick, 2025 4th Round Pick and Andy Welinski from the New York Rangers for Cooper Zech
    • The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Anders Bjork from the Buffalo Sabres for future considerations
    • The Dallas Stars acquired Max Domi and Dylan Wells from the Chicago Blackhawks for Anton Khudobin and 2025 2nd Round Pick
    • The Anaheim Ducks acquired Dylan Sikura from the Chicago Blackhawks for Max Golod

Also, be sure to follow the entire The-Rink staff on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates, as well:

The Rink Official

Chicago Divison
The Rinkcast
Jeff Osborn
Andy Campbell
Ray Napientek
Eric Andrews
Sean Fitzgerald
Andrew Bard
Matt Csakai

 

The post The Rink’s Chicago Blackhawks 2023 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on The Rink.

— The Blackhawks and Leafs traded chances in the first half of the opening frame, including over four minutes without a whistle. The home team broke through first, as a Blackhawks rush up the ice saw Max Domi drop a pass to Patrick Kane in the right circle and he snapped his 12th of the season over the glove of Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov at the 10:44 mark to give Chicago a 1–0 lead.

— The Leafs tied it at 12:52 of the first when their red-hot power play came through again. Morgan Rielly‘s point shot was deflected by John Tavares in front of the net for his 25th of the season. An intense first period would finish with the teams tied at 1–1.

— Despite coming up empty on their 18th straight power play, the Blackhawks broke the tie at even strength. Kane took a feed from Domi in the slot, showed some patience and froze Samsonov before sniping his second of the game and 13th of the season at 7:57 of the second to give Chicago a 2–1 lead.

— At 10:48, Kane completed the hat trick when he banked one in off Samsonov from behind the net. Initially, the call on the ice was no goal, however, after a brief review by the war room in Toronto, the call was overturned and Kane had his 14th of the season to give the Hawks a 3–1 lead.

— The Leafs cut the Hawks lead to 3–2 when Acciari swatted in a rebound from the goal mouth for his 11th of the season and first as a Maple Leaf at the 17:46 mark of the second.

— In the third, the Leafs tied it at 3–3 when Rielly intentionally shot the puck from his own blue line to the left corner, where Mitch Marner, who had a step on Hawks defensemen Jack Johnson, gathered the puck on the carom, skated alone in front of the net, deked Stauber and backhanded the puck in at the 7:38 mark. For Marner, it was his 20th of the season.

— At 11:42, the Hawks regained the lead at 4–3 when Cole Guttman scored his first NHL goal. The University of Denver alum raced in from his own zone on a 2-on-1 and snapped a wrist shot top shelf past the blocker of Samsonov.

— With 1:16 left, Kane capped a four-point night by finding Domi streaking through the neutral zone and into the Toronto end and he fired the puck into the empty net for his 15th to make it 5–3, which was the final tally.

The Hawks return to home ice on Tuesday night when they host the Vegas Golden Knights. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. CST.

The post Blackhawks Post-game One-timers — Feb. 19 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

— It took the Leafs just nine seconds to open the scoring. Defenseman Morgan Rielly found William Nylander, who skated in alone after Jake McCabe fell at the blue line, and the 26-year-old deked Mrazek and scored his 30th of the season.

— The Blackhawks answered 53 seconds later when Sam Lafferty intercepted a pass in the slot, skated in alone and lifted a backhand shot that trickled past Samsonov for his ninth of the season to tie the game.

— Toronto regained the lead when a face-off win led to Rasmus Sandin sniping one from the right half boards that deflected in off Connor Murphy. For Sandin, it was his fourth of the season at the 8:14 mark to give the Leafs a 2–1 advantage.

— The Leafs took a 3–1 lead when Auston Matthews, who returned from a five-game absence with a knee injury, snapped a wrist shot from the right circle past Mrazek at 11:21 of the first.

— The Hawks opened the second period by cutting the Leafs’ lead to 3–2 just 46 seconds into the frame. Max Domi forced a neutral zone turnover, skated in to the Toronto zone and fed Philipp Kurashev, who one-timed a shot past Samsonov for his eighth of the season.

— John Tavares gave the Leafs a two-goal edge again off a no-look pass from Alexander Kerfoot, who was behind the Hawks’ net. For Tavares, it was his 24th of the season and gave Toronto a 4–2 lead at 7:37 of the second.

— The Leafs extended their lead to 5–2 when Conor Timmins scored his second of the season with a one-timer from the blue line at 16:07 of the second.

— The scoring barrage would finally end as the Maple Leafs skated away with a 5–2 win over Chicago. Samsonov made 27 saves for the win.

The Hawks continue their road trip through Canada on Friday night when they visit Alex DeBrincat and the Ottawa Senators. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. CST.

The post Blackhawks Post-game One-timers — Feb. 15 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

TRADE: The #SeaKraken have acquired a 2nd round draft pick in 2022 and 2023 and a 3rd round pick in 2024 from Toronto in exchange for defenseman Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell.

Read more → https://t.co/VqQAmljIpp pic.twitter.com/eVnRzB8pgI

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 20, 2022

Giordano was acquired from the Calgary Flames and Blackwell was acquired from the New York Rangers in the expansion draft. In what has been a rough season for the Kraken, the 38-year-old defenseman and former Norris Trophy winner put up 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) while playing quarterback on their power play and anchoring their first defensive pair. Giordano was rewarded for playing in his 1,000th NHL game on Wednesday.

Blackwell, who had a late start to his regular season beginning the year on the injured list, is set to turn 29 on March 28. When he finally made his debut, he quickly became a fan favorite, putting up 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 38 games.

The Kraken have acquired six future draft picks for three roster players within the last week. They are most definitely not done with deals before the deadline clock strikes zero at 12 p.m. PDT on Monday.

Date	The-Rink Division	Outgoing Player/Pick	Opposite Team	Player/Pick Received
3/16/2022		Calle Jarnkrok		'22 2nd round pick (acquired from FLA), '23 3rd round pick, and a '24 7th round pick
3/18/2022		Brandon Hagel, '22 4th round pick, '24 4th round pick		Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, ‘23 1st round pick, ‘24 1st round pick
3/20/2022		Mark Giordano (50% salary retained), Colin Blackwell		'22 2nd round pick, '23 2nd round pick, and, '24 3rd round pick
3/20/2022		Jeremy Lauzon		'22 2nd round pick
3/20/2022		Mason Appleton		'23 4th round pick
3/21/2022		Marcus Johansson (50% salary retained)		Daniel Sprong, '22 4th round pick, and '23 6th round pick
3/21/2022		Marc-Andre Fleury (50% salary retained)		Conditional '22 2nd (potential 1st) round pick
3/21/2022		Ryan Carpenter		'24 5th round pick
3/21/2022		Future Considerations		Victor Rask

The post BREAKING: Kraken trade Giordano and Blackwell to Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

McCann was taken by the Kraken in the expansion draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs, whom he had been traded to just three days previously, and quickly won fans’ hearts with his hard-nosed play and knack for finding the net.

In 51 games this season, the 25-year-old center has 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists). His 21 goals is a new career-high, and he is on track to beat his career-high of 35 points well before the season ends.

https://twitter.com/SeattleKraken/status/1501228431421362176

Bookending the McCann extension were games this weekend against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, then last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. These were the first three games of an East Coast road trip, which wraps up Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Saturday at Washington

The Capitals hosted the Kraken for captain Mark Giordano’s 1,000th game on Saturday, but those were all the celebrations for Seattle. Alex Ovechkin scored his 764th goal, which left him just two shy of Jaromir Jagr for third overall on the all-time goal scoring list, a mark which he has since tied.

Washington took a 2–0 lead in the first period on goals by Tom Wilson and Dmitry Orlov, just 34 seconds apart. Seattle battled back on goals from Joonas Donskoi late in the first and Colin Blackwell just 58 seconds into the second period.

Blackwell never gives up & finds the back of the net! pic.twitter.com/Y0NFZIGJ5B

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 6, 2022

Washington got unanswered power play goals from Conor Sheary and Ovechkin before Sheary added a late empty-net goal to button up a 5–2 win. Goaltender Chris Driedger saved 20 of 24 shots for the Kraken.

Sunday at Carolina

The Kraken made the short trip from Washington D.C. to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face the Hurricanes on Sunday evening. Seattle jumped out to 1–0 and 2–1 leads in the second period before succumbing to the Canes on a power play goal by Teuvo Teravainen and a third-period game-winning goal from Martin Necas.

Pick up the phone! It’s answer time, baby!

Boi Boi with a *swede* response goal! pic.twitter.com/cI2u2TRavN

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 7, 2022

Seattle’s goals were from Alexander Wennberg and Calle Jarnkrok but, once again, the Kraken were unable to hold onto a lead. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer stopped 30 of 33 shots and probably deserved a better fate.

Tuesday at Toronto

Continuing their road trip, the Kraken hopped the border to face the Maple Leafs last night. Star center Auston Matthews scored his 41st, 42nd and 43rd goals of the season to power the Leafs to a 6–4 win.

Matthews opened the scoring with his first goal just 3:18 into the game and completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal in the waning moments of the game. Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares also had goals for the Maple Leafs, while Blackwell, Jaden Schwartz, Carson Soucy and Wennberg all scored for the Kraken.

BLACKWELL IS ON FIRE!!

drop some 's if you agree pic.twitter.com/IlSciJuMA0

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) March 9, 2022

Three of Toronto’s six goals were on the power play with the Kraken taking six costly penalties that sealed their fate. Grubauer saved 26 of 31 shots on net.

  The Kraken take a short trip to face the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. PST.

The post Kraken extend Jared McCann, drop games to Capitals, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

The Kraken almost seemed doomed from the puck drop, as (alleged Seattle Kraken legend) Alexander Kerfoot roofed a shot past Seattle starter Philipp Grubauer just under four minutes into play on the Leafs’ second shot on goal. The Kraken tied the game five minutes later on a Calle Jarnkrok shot from the top of the circles.

our fave boi boi stays hot with points in three straight games!!! pic.twitter.com/47uYmXbzRO

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) February 15, 2022

The Leafs came right back with two more goals from Michael Bunting and Ondrej Kase (on the power play) to take a 3–1 lead into the intermission and chase Grubauer from the game. Chris Driedger did not fare much better either, though, behind a chaotic defense and sketchy special teams.

Seattle never gained any momentum back, giving up another power play goal to Mitch Marner in the second period and then a shorthanded goal to David Kampf early in the third period, which left them facing a 5–1 deficit.

The Kraken did add a power play goal of their own late in the third period from Maple Leafs legend Jared McCann, but this was far too little, far too late. Toronto wrapped up the scoring with a long bomb from Jake Muzzin at the 18:19 mark of the third period to walk away with a convincing 6–2 win.

Anchor points

Shots on net were 25–25. Toronto led 11–6 in the first period and the Kraken turned around an 11–6 period of their own in the third. Needless to say, that first period did the Kraken in. Not many teams are coming back from a 3–1 deficit against the Leafs…well, outside of the Montreal Canadiens, I suppose.

I was surprised to see Dave Hakstol pull Grubauer, but I support his decision. The team was flat and Grubauer was, too. Driedger looked pretty good. He was screened on the Marner power play goal and left hung out to dry on the Kampf shorthander.

Check out tonight’s @WAFDbank Signature Save of the Game. pic.twitter.com/bzee4cmNnD

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) February 15, 2022

Special teams just ate up the Kraken. While they scored a late power play goal, they gave up two power play goals and a shorthanded goal previous to that. If you allow three special teams goals against, you will not win many games.

Surprisingly, the Kraken led in almost all possession metrics.  Again, an enigma.

5-on-5 Corsi (total shot attempts) 59%–41%
5-on-5 Fenwick (Unblocked shot attempts) 55%–45%
5-on-5 High-danger chances for 50%–50%
5-on-5 Expected goals for 60%–40%
Face-off percentage 59%–41%

The Kraken are off until Thursday night when they face the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg to start a three-game road trip through western and central Canada. The puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST.

The post RECAP: Maple Leafs easily dispatch Kraken 6–2 appeared first on The Rink.

1st Period

In the first period, the Blackhawks jumped out to the early lead. Jonathan Toews fired a shot past Peter Mrazek for his second goal of the season. Following the Toews goal, Riley Stillman committed his first of two consecutive penalties in the first period. The Blackhawks lead evaporated as Jonathan Tavares scored the equalizer less than a minute later.

After the Tavares goal, the Leafs’ offense got going with another power-play goal from William Nylander. The Nylander gave the Leafs their first lead of the game. Later in the period, Austin Matthews put another puck past Kevin Lankiken for three to one first-period lead.

Tavares, Nylander and Matthews all have goals in the first 15 minutes of this one. That’s NOT what you want to happen

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) December 12, 2021

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

2nd Period

In the second period, The Blackhawks outshot the Leafs 14–3 in one of their best periods of the season. Despite outshooting Toronto by a significant margin, Leafs added to their lead with a goal from Pierre Engvall. The Blackhawks answered with a goal from Connor Murphy late in the period to cut the lead back to two goals. The difference thus far has to be the play of Mrazerk who has stopped a bunch of A plus chances.

You’ve got to be joking!! #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/NgMSzMrkPt

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 12, 2021

Despite the fact that the Blackhawks still trailed by two goals, the momentum was clearly in their favor.

3rd Period:

In the third period, the Blackhawks continued to build off their momentum from the second period. The Blackhawks cut the lead to one goal with a goal from Dominik Kubalik. It was Kubalik’s first goal since December 2nd and his fifth goal the season.

The comeback continued with Jake McCabe getting the equalizer to knot the game at four. After tying the game, former Blackhawks forward and newly minted Maple Leafs’ hero, David Kampf ripped the Hawks heart out with a late third-period goal. The Blackhawks fall to the Leafs’ 5–4.

Analysis

Despite getting down early, the Blackhawks showed a lot of resilience coming back from a two-goal lead to eventually tie the game at four. The resiliency of the Blackhawks has to be credited to head coach Derek King. If the Blackhawks had played his game under Jeremy Colliton, this team would have folded like a lawn chair in the summer.

Johnathan Toews:

Toews scored his second goal of the season and his second in two games. Toews needs to get going with his goal-scoring to help this team continue to improve this season.

Dominik Kubalik:

Kubalik has been missing in action on the scoring front this season after scoring 17 goals last season. The Blackhawks need Kubalik and Toews to continue to score helps to elevate some of the pressure off of Alex Debrincat and Patrick Kane.

There are no moral victories in sports but the Blackhawks should not hold their heads down after their effort tonight.

The post Blackhawks fall in a heart breaker to the Maple Leafs appeared first on The Rink.

The Blackhawks have acquired forward Kurtis Gabriel from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Chad Krys. pic.twitter.com/B0Ls9BnLYd

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 9, 2021

Gabriel is a veteran of 49 NHL games, making stops with the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, posting two goals and three assists to go along with 153 penalty minutes. Gabriel has also racked up 332 games in the AHL since 2014, recording 36 goals, 32 assists and a whopping 555 penalty minutes.

Gabriel has spent the entirety of his game action this season with the Toronto Marlies, accumulating one goal, one assist and 36 penalty minutes in 13 games played.

The acquisition comes at the relatively minor cost of Rockford IceHogs blueliner Chad Krys, once a heralded prospect in the Blackhawks’ system.

Since being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Krys has largely stalled in his development, with much of his pro career thus far being derailed by injuries. Because of these setbacks, Krys had been passed by a number of other defensemen on the organizational depth chart.

Since turning pro in 2019, Krys has played in just 64 contests for the IceHogs, tallying two goals and 13 assists.

The post BREAKING: Blackhawks acquire Kurtis Gabriel from Maple Leafs in exchange for Chad Krys appeared first on The Rink.

Three plays tonight for the Tommy Train passengers. Remember, pick up your food voucher at the station and $1 Busch lights on the drink cart tonight.

(Odds courtesy of BetRivers)

Nashville Predators -125 @ Detroit Red Wings

O/U: 5.5 +110

My pick: Red Wings ML +108. We got a matchup of old conference foes in Detriot tonight. I really like the Detroit Red Wings as home underdogs here. They are 9–2 in their own barn and four of their five wins on the win streak have come at home. This pick holds great value. No need to overthink. Ride the Wings.

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs -250

O/U: 6 +100

My pick: Maple Leafs three-way -157. Road games have not been good to the Columbus Blue Jackets in recent weeks, losing four straight and being outscored 18–6. Elvis Merzlikins gets the start between the pipes and his road goals against average is 4.32. The Toronto Maples Leafs should have no problem taking care of business tonight at home.

Minnesota Wild @ Edmonton Oilers -122

O/U: 6.5 -134

My pick: Over 6.5 -134. Two teams here who can flat out score. The Minnesota Wild ride a six-game win streak into Edmonton tonight, so their ML at +106 is something I would consider as well.

Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @ThomasGibbons_3, for my bonus play at 5 p.m. CST.

Happy gambling, and remember, always ride the Tommy Train.

Basics of hockey betting Money line — Winning team Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet) Three-way line — Team wins in regulation  Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout  Parlay — A combination of two or more bets

The information contained on this website is for entertainment purposes only. Please confirm any wagering regulations in your jurisdiction, as they vary from state to state, province to province and country to country. Using this information to contravene any law or statute is prohibited. The Rink is not associated with or endorsed by any professional league, association or team.

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Dec. 7, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

First period

Nearly six minutes into the game, the Blackhawks took a 1–0 lead on a beautiful tally from Kirby Dach, who danced through Toronto’s defense and finished the play with top shelf shot for his third of the season. The goal marked the first time this season the Blackhawks held a lead, ending its drought at nearly 367 minutes of game action, the longest stretch without a lead to start a season in NHL history.

At the 11:48 mark, Alex DeBrincat scored his third of the season on a breakaway to give the Hawks a 2–0 advantage. Seth Jones assisted on both goals, as he led the team to arguably its best period of hockey this season. The Hawks also held an 11–10 shots on goal edge through one.

Second period

The Leafs opened the period playing much more crisp, as their passes were much cleaner, and it eventually paid off. At 6:14 of the second, the Leafs got on the board on a nice rush up the ice that ended with a filthy backhand shot from the slot by John Tavares that went top shelf to cut the Hawks’ lead to 2–1. The Hawks would hang on to the lead through two. In the second, the Leafs had a 10–9 edge in shots on goal and the teams stood even at 20 apiece for the game.

Third period

The Hawks had multiple chances to regain a two-goal lead. Philipp Kurashev had a step on a defender and plowed into Campbell, dislodging the net as Dominik Kubalik tapped in a loose puck. The referee pointed as if it were a goal and the horn sounded, but instead, the ref assessed Kurashev with a goalie interference minor infraction. Later in the period, MacKenzie Entwistle was stopped by Campbell on a shorthanded breakaway to keep the Leafs alive. 

At 12:31 of the period, former Blackhawk David Kampf tallied his first as a Leaf to tie the game at 2–2 on a backhander from the slot that deflected off Erik Gustafsson’s skate and past Lankinen. Neither team would score in the rest of the period, sending the contest to extra time. In the third, the Leafs had a 17–7 edge in shots on goal and a 37–27 advantage in regulation.

Overtime

Nearly two minutes into the extra session, William Nylander skated in on a breakaway and slipped a backhander past Lankinen for his third of the season to complete the comeback and earn the Leafs the win and end their four-game slide.

Analysis: The good, the bad, the ugly

The good

Seth Jones: He played arguably his best game in a Blackhawks sweater. He was a strong presence in all three zones, playing over 28 minutes. Jones registered two assists, five shots on goal and three blocked shots. 

Kevin Lankinen: Once again, the Hawks’ sophomore netminder received the start over the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Marc Andre-Fleury. Lankinen kept the Blackhawks in the game, especially in the third period when Toronto applied a ton of pressure. Lankinen has been positionally strong this season, which demonstrates the significant confidence he is playing with. All he needs is a win to show for his strong efforts thus far.

The bad

Finishing games: Once again, the Hawks appear allergic to holding leads (dating back to last season when they actually held more than one in a season). The Blackhawks need to find a way to finish games, whether it is getting that clutch insurance goal, staying strong defensively or getting that big save (I will take all three!).

The ugly

The Hawks’ record: While they picked up a point in this game for their strong effort, you cannot help but notice the big fat zero in the win column. 

Things will not get easier this weekend with back-to-back road games beginning Friday night at RBC Center against the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. CDT on NBCSCH and WGN 720.

News and notes

Following the game, Kane, who appeared remotely while in COVID-19 protocol, and Toews met with the media for the first time since the results of the investigation into how the Blackhawks handled sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Aldrich back in 2010. The virtual media scrum also came hours after former Blackhawks first-round draft pick Kyle Beach came forward as “John Doe” in the investigation. Below are select quotes from Kane and Toews’ media availability.

Patrick Kane

“(It) definitely could’ve been handled differently, most importantly for Kyle’s sake. It seemed like the organization did what they had to do as far as making necessary moves as far as guys who were with the team that were still with the team now and aren’t with us anymore. I knew Stan very well. I knew him as a great man. He did a lot for me personally, coming into the league and over the course of my career. I’m sure he would’ve handled things differently nowadays. But what happened, happened in the past. The organization made the right moves to get the Blackhawks going forward in the right steps and making sure we’re trending forward.”

“Very courageous for (Beach) to come out and let his name be known to the world after everything he went through. I wish back then we could have done some different things, knew about some different things, maybe we could have helped him.”

“I don’t know if he wants to hear from us or not, but I’d like to reach out to him and say that I wish I knew more at that time in that situation, if I could’ve done anything to help him out. Obviously, he’s been living with this a long time, and it takes a lot of courage by him to put his name behind the story.”

Jonathan Toews

“Winning the Stanley Cup that year is beside the point. Whether we win or lose…we wish we could take it back and it never happened and young players didn’t have to deal with a situation like that.”

“Not that it was a joke, but it was something that wasn’t taken super seriously at the time. I thought Brad being let go or resigning from the organization was the way it was dealt with. … Had I been more connected to the situation and known some of the more gory details of it, I’d like to say, yeah, I would’ve acted differently in my role as captain.”

“I feel a ton for what Kyle went through and what he’s dealing with at this point, too. I don’t know what else to say. I think the guys that were part of that group all wish they could have done something different.”

“Stan (Bowman) and Al (MacIsaac)…they’re not directly complicit in the activities that happened. It’s not up to me to comment on whether they would like to deal with it differently or not. … I have a lot of respect for them as people. They’re good people.”

“To me, Stan and Al, make any argument you want, they’re not directly complicit in the activities that happened. Regardless of mistakes that may have been made, for someone like Stan, who has done so much for the Blackhawks—and Al, as well—to lose everything they care about and their livelihoods as well…I don’t understand how that makes it go away, to just delete them from existence and (say), ‘That’s it, we’ll never hear from them again.’”

The post Winless Blackhawks gain first lead of season in overtime loss to Toronto appeared first on The Rink.

I have become more invested in sports gambling over the past year or so. How invested, you may ask? Last week, I was refreshing the box score to a KHL game in my Uber on my way home from a night out with friends. I love the entertainment and the opportunity to earn some spending money. 

Basics of hockey betting

Money line — Winning team 

Puck line — Team wins by at least two goals (-1.5 when placing a bet)

Three-way line — Team wins in regulation 

Over/under — Total goals scored during a game including overtime but not a shootout 

Parlay — A combination of two or more bets 

Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in extravagant fashion, 6–2. The Penguins were the underdogs, and playing their money line at plus odds would have been a sweet win. The over also hit (5.5). For the nightcap, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken by a score of 4–3. That over (5.5) also hit, however, the Golden Knights, the favorite, did not cover the puck line by only winning by one goal. 

Tonight, we have five games on the slate. Let’s dive into my picks.

(All odds courtesy of BetRivers IL)

Montreal Canadiens (+160) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-186)

O/U: 6

In terms of how I make my picks, everyone has their strategy. For me, it is a mix of gut and research. 

Both teams are missing arguably their best players tonight in Carey Price for the Montreal Canadiens and Auston Matthews for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens are also without defensemen Shea Weber for the entire year and Joel Edmundson will miss the start of the regular season. Forwards Paul Byron and Mike Hoffman are also on long-term injured reserve. It is a banged-up Canadiens team traveling to Toronto. Mitch Marner is also a game-time decision, but I would expect him to play. 

My pick: Over 6. The Maple Leafs have the firepower on offense even without Matthews in the lineup, and the Canadiens have their own sharpshooters in Cole Caufield and Tyler Toffoli. I think goals come early and often tonight in Toronto. 

New York Rangers (-107) vs. Washington Capitals (-109) 

O/U: 6.5

One thing to note. O/U 6.5 means there must be at least seven goals for the bet to settle as a win. As for the Maple Leafs-Canadiens game, the O/U is set at 6, which also means there must be at least seven goals for a win. However, without the .5, if the game finishes with six total goals, it would be considered a “push” and you get your wagered money back. 

First off, neither team have plus odds. I would consider this a toss-up. So, if you would want plus odds on either one of them, you could play the three-way line or the Washington Capitals are -1 at +160. A $10 wager would win $16 and the payout would be $26. 

The New York Rangers are locked and loaded. They are healthy and ready to go to battle with their slew of assistant captains. I really like their roster. They made several additions in Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves and former St. Louis Blues forward Samuel Blais. Their back end is solid, led by Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba. And, their goaltending duo of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev gives new head coach Gerard Gallant options.

As for the Capitals, there are plenty of familiar faces. They will be without Nicklas Backstrom tonight and for the foreseeable future. Vitek Vanecek will tend the pipes tonight, and the Capitals will be ready to prove they are capable of another run at the Cup. 

My pick: Capitals three-way +145. I will ride the Capitals on home ice tonight. The building will be electric and Alex Ovechkin will shine on the first regular-season game broadcast on TNT. 

Chicago Blackhawks (+170) vs. Colorado Avalanche (-200) 

O/U: 6.5 

Even with no Nathan MacKinnon tonight after testing positive for COVID-19, the Colorado Avalanche are the heavy favorite at home. It is not shocking considered the Avs are one of the favorites to win it all this year. Their roster is loaded with stars all over the place. This is a team that will be entertaining all year and favored in the majority of their contests. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are running out a new-look squad headlined by goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defensemen Seth Jones. Jonathan Toews is back after missing all of last season with an illness. The rebuild was short-lived in Chicago, and, at least on paper, General Manager Stan Bowman has put together a playoff-contending roster.  

My pick: Hawks ML +170. Homer pick? Absolutely. There is plenty of excitement coming into this season, and I am going to ride it on opening night. Fleury will keep them in the game and give them the chance to pull out the victory.

Vancouver Canucks (+160) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-186)

O/U: 6.5 

I had to think about this game for a bit. There were a lot of angles I was looking into. First off, I liked the over until I saw Mike Smith was 4–0 with a .937 save percentage for the Edmonton Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks last season. This one is tough. I feel that the Oilers are a deeper team offensively, but I lean toward the Canucks’ defense. But, I had to settle on something to try and win some cash for the weekend shenanigans. 

My pick: Oilers three-way -121. Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are one of the best duos in the NHL. In March of last season, The two have combined on an NHL-best 197 goals since 2016–17. Insane! Riding these guys tonight is the safe bet. 

Winnipeg Jets (-132) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+112) 

O/U: 5.5 +100

It is always hard to pass up an O/U at plus odds, so think about it. 

Hey, a road favorite! The Winnipeg Jets have had a winning record on the road for the past five seasons. It is a balanced roster and is destined to finish near the top of the Central Divison. As for the Anaheim Ducks, their roster is nothing special. They have finished toward the bottom of the league the past three seasons. Trevor Zegras will be the highlight of the team this season, as he will be in the race for the Calder Trophy with Cole Caufield and Spencer Knight. Maybe they surprise some people, but right now it does not look like it.

My pick: Jets -1.5. I think they win comfortably. John Gibson is the likely starter in the net for the Ducks, and while he is not a bad goalie, I do not like the defense in front of him. Ride the Jets into the night.

I would parlay:

— Leafs O 6/Jets -1.5 +425

Props I like:

— Canadiens team total including overtime over 2.5 -115

— Toews to have a point +105

— Zegras to score +310

Let’s start off the year with a bang! Happy gambling!

The post Tommy’s Puckline Picks — Oct. 13, 2021 appeared first on The Rink.

Date	The-Rink Division	Outgoing Player/Pick	Opposite Team	Player/Pick Received
4/2/21		Brad Morrison		Vince Hinostroza
4/8/21		Lucas Carlsson, Lucas Wallmark		Brett Connolly, Riley Stillman, Henrik Borgstrom, 7th round draft pick
4/9/21		2022 conditional seventh round pick		Riley Nash
4/9/21		2022 fourth-round selection		Patrik Nemeth
4/9/21		Greg Pateryn		Devan Dubnyk
4/10/21		David Savard and Brian Lashoff thru		2021 NHL Draft and a 2022 third-round pick
4/11/21		David Rittich		2022 third round pick
4/11/21		Nick Foligno and Stefan Noesen thru		2021 first round pick, 2021 fourth round pick and 2022 fourth round pick
4/12/21		Adam Gaudette		Matthew Highmore
4/12/21		2021 2nd and 2022 3rd round draft pick thru		Mattias Janmark and 2022 5th round draft pick
4/12/21		Josh Dickinson and Ryder Rolston		Carl Soderberg
4/12/21		2021 4th round draft pick		Madison Bowey and a 2021 fifth round draft pick
4/12/21		Antti Suomela		Alexander Barabanov
		Ben Hutton		2022 fifth round draft pick

Trade Analysis/Break Down:

• • • • Chicago Blackhawks acquired Vinnie Hinostroza from the Florida Panthers for Brad Morrison
      • Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Riley Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2022 conditional seventh round pick
      • Colorado Avalanche acquired Patrik Nemeth from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2022 fourth round pick
      • Columbus Blue Jackets/Detroit Red Wings/Tampa Bay Lightning 3-way trade:
        • Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Brian Lashoff from the Columbus Blue Jackets for 2021 first round pick and 2022 third round pick
        • Tampa Bay Lightning acquired David Savard from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2021 fourth round pick
        • Detroit Red Wings acquired David Savard from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Brian Lashoff
      • Colorado Avalanche acquired Devan Dubnyk from the San Jose Sharks for Greg Pateryn and 2021 fifth round pick
      • Columbus Blue Jackets/San Jose Sharks/Toronto Maple Leafs 3-way trade:
        • San Jose Sharks acquired Nick Foligno from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Stefan Noesen
        • Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Nick Foligno from the San Jose Sharks for 2021 fourth round pick
        • Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Stefan Noesen from the Columbus Blue Jackets for 2021 first round pick and 2022 fourth round pick
      • Toronto Maple Leafs acquired David Rittich from the Calgary Flames for a 2022 third round pick
      • Chicago Blackhawks acquired Adam Gaudette from the Vancouver Canucks for Matthew Highmore
      • Chicago Blackhawks/San Jose Sharks/Vegas Golden Knights 3-way trade:
        • San Jose Sharks acquired Mattias Janmark from the Chicago Blackhawks for Nick DeSimone
        • Vegas Golden Knights acquired Mattias Janmark from the San Jose Sharks for 2022 fifth round pick
        • Vegas Golden Knights acquired Nick DeSimone and 2022 fifth round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for 2021 second round pick and 2022 third round pick
      • Colorado Avalanche acquired Carl Soderberg from the Chicago Blackhawks for Josh Dickinson and Ryder Rolston
      • Vancouver Canucks acquired Madison Bowey and 2021 fifth round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for 2021 fourth round draft pick
      • San Jose Sharks acquired Alexander Barabanov from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Antti Suomela
      • Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Ben Hutton from Anaheim in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round selection

Also, be sure to follow the entire The-Rink staff on Twitter for up to the minute updates, as well:

The Rink Official

Chicago Divison
The Rinkcast
John Jaeckel
Ray Napientek
Eric Andrews
Sean Fitzgerald
Eric Johnson

Colorado Divison
Aaron Goldschmidt
Marie Sexton
Owyn Cooper
Craig Jones
Karen Cherrett

Seattle Divison
Kraken Hostile Seattle Rinkcast
Jeff Osborn

Toronto Divison
Cristina Caruso

Columbus Divison

The post The-Rink.com 2021 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on The Rink.

Game one

Just before the game, both teams announced they would be without their starting goaltenders. Frederik Andersen sat as a result of a lower-body injury. As Jack Campbell is still on injured reserve, Michael Hutchinson started for Toronto. Jacob Markstrom, who was pulled in both of the last two games he played, was sidelined with an upper-body injury.

The Leafs looked slow from the start. When talking about it after the game, Toronto Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said they played like a team that was expecting things to go bad.

With Joe Thornton and Zach Hyman injured, Keefe loaded up his first line, with John Tavares joining Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

The Leafs were down 1–0 after 20 minutes. Early in the second period, Jason Spezza nearly converted on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush, but could not beat Calgary netminder David Rittich.

Spezza stopped on the shorthanded rush pic.twitter.com/cbNPjy4HxZ

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 23, 2021

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Ilya Mikheyev also missed two breakaway opportunities. The Flames scored their second on that same power play, with Matthew Tkachuk beating Andersen.

Matthew Tkachuk makes it 2-0 pic.twitter.com/OgmfD73NtN

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 23, 2021

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The post RECAP: Maple Leafs win two of three appeared first on The Rink.

Just prior to the game, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had acquired forward Alex Galchenyuk from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Egor Korshkov and David Warsofsky. Galchenyuk had just been traded to the Hurricanes three days earlier.

Alex Galchenyuk never travelled into the U.S. after his original trade to Carolina over the weekend and will avoid a 14-day quarantine as he joins the #leafs.

Expect him to get some work in with the player development staff.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 16, 2021

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Joe Thornton returned to the lineup, having not played since he fractured a rib in mid-January.

Auston Matthews scored twice, giving him 12 goals total on the season, and Thornton picked up a goal and an assist. Though the Senators picked up a late goal, by the end of the second period, the Leafs still had a 5–2 lead, with Pierre Engvall and Travis Boyd contributing a goal each. 

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Jumbo is back baby! What a pass! pic.twitter.com/TC08hB0w1R

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 16, 2021

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Then, the Senators scored three in a row in the third, pushing the game to overtime, where Evgenii Dadonov scored the game-winner. 

Overall, this loss was an embarrassing one. If there is any doubt about that, take a look at the goal that tied the game for the Senators.

Dadonov ties it. pic.twitter.com/Bk0wsSi8R5

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 16, 2021

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However, I think this may benefit the team in the long run. Over the last week or so, they have been outplayed in almost every game, yet have still somehow been winning games. That did not work in this game, though.

Game two

The second game against the Senator started incredibly slow. Halfway through the first period, the Leafs had a total of three shots on net. Late in the first, Thornton scored, but the goal was disallowed.

Joe Thornton! but…

Waved off. Pushed the pad in. pic.twitter.com/ET32rrZ1ct

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021

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And then, early in the second period, Thornton scored. And it was waved off again.

JOE THORTooonnnnoooo way

Waved off again. High stick pic.twitter.com/h8GGMljG6w

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021

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Matthews scored to give the Leafs the lead and then followed that up with an own goal. The second period ended 1–1.

The pass went off Matthews’ stick

Goals at both ends I guess pic.twitter.com/N63RPLZ6Xv

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021

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Alexander Kerfoot scored midway through the third period, and Frederik Andersen shut the door the rest of the way.

Freddie closes the five-hole pic.twitter.com/LTpYBQulIq

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 18, 2021

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The Leafs took this one, 2–1.

Game three

Andersen sat this one out, meaning Michael Hutchinson started in net. Zach Hyman also missed the contest being day-to-day.

Matthews opened the scoring for the Leafs 10 minutes into the first.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

50 in 56 is still going! pic.twitter.com/HSK4e7Q04v

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 19, 2021

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Matthews had another two-goal game, while Thornton, William Nylander, John Tavares and Ilya Mikheyev each picked up one. The top line, composed of Matthews, Thornton and Mitch Marner, combined for 11 points.

Hutchinson stopped 34 shots and continuously got better as the game went on. This was a much-needed break for Andersen, as he has started every game since Jack Campbell was injured.

The Leafs won 7–3.

Game four

This is the fourth time the Maple Leafs have played the Montreal Canadiens so far in the shortened season.

Matthews extended his point streak to 16 games with another two goals, both coming on the power play. Travis Boyd, a new addition to the top power play unit, also scored.

TRAVIS BOYD

Yeaaahhh boooyyyy(d) pic.twitter.com/TLVTmmzRbq

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 21, 2021

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Boyd has been a great acquisition for the team and has played himself into a larger role. Marner and Kerfoot also scored to propel the Leafs to a 5–3 win.

Matthews now has 18 goals on the season.

“Auston is setting new standards, it seems like, every day,” Toronto Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said in the postgame press conference. “But, I think it’s also important to recognize the play of Mitch Marner here, and how he’s really teamed up with Auston. They’re pushing each other to new heights, and it’s been fun to watch.”

The Maple Leafs now lead the NHL and open next week with two home games against the Calgary Flames before traveling to Edmonton to play the Oilers.

The post RECAP: Leafs rebound from embarrassing loss to win three in a row appeared first on The Rink.

Last Monday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks marked Rasmus Sandin’s first game of the season. In fact, this is the first time that Sandin has played in almost a full calendar year, as he did not get a chance to play in the NHL bubble in August.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did not look like the same team that beat the Canucks 7–3 and 5–1 in the week prior. Halfway through the game, shots were 27–7 in favor of the Canucks, and Frederik Andersen was the only reason the game was still tied 1–1.

Midway through the third, Auston Matthews extended his goal streak to eight games.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

IT’S THAT EASY! 2-1 pic.twitter.com/P6YpOHtgQl

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 9, 2021

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Minutes later, Alexander Kerfoot extended the lead, and the team held on to win 3–1. 

Game two

On Wednesday night, the Leafs headed to Montreal to play the first of two against the Canadiens. The Leafs and Canadiens hold the top two spots in the North Division, yet the Canadiens have played one less game.

Travis Dermott was back in the lineup for the first time since suffering a minor leg injury earlier this season.

The Leafs gave up an early goal after this turnover in the neutral zone.

Turnover in the neutral zone started it all pic.twitter.com/qXH1T9LYlv

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 11, 2021

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Late in the second, Dermott tied the game with his first of the season.

TRAVIS DERMOTT

FIRST OF THE SEASON! pic.twitter.com/SyWC7eZgeJ

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 11, 2021

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Ilya Mikheyev scored to give the Leafs the lead with his first tally of the season. Justin Holl added on to the lead, which was also his first marker of the season.

Justin Holl scored for the first time since Feb. 27, 2020, but the Leafs d-man points out that was an empty netter

So, this was the first time he beat a goalie since … Nov. 13, 2019

Will we see more of that shot? “I’ve uncorked it now so there’s no turning back.” https://t.co/UmWCVsNtVK

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 11, 2021

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Although the Canadiens got one back late, the Leafs took the game 4–2.

Game three

Prior to the game, Sandin, Adam Brooks and Nick Robertson were sent down to the AHL. Martin Marincin and Scott Sabourin were added to the taxi squad. This Leafs team has a lot of depth, and while that is a strength, it means that certain players have not been able to play as much as they need to. Robertson has been injured since his first game, while Sandin and Brooks have each made it into the lineup only once this season. They will be able to play much more with the Marlies, and continue their development in the process.

The Leafs had a strong first period, and took an early lead, as it was Mitch Marner with the goal. Although Toronto had many good quality chances in the frame, Carey Price held them to just one strike.

Tyler Toffoli tied the game early in the third for Montreal. Although the Leafs have been generally better at defending leads this season, this was just not it.

Tyler Toffoli ties it. 1-1 pic.twitter.com/To4btkmulF

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 14, 2021

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The Leafs’ third period was a mess, with almost no offense, though Andersen made some big saves.

Freddie gets a piece of this shot but it was an important piece pic.twitter.com/5ABIc5jwaB

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 14, 2021

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Brendan Gallagher scored with four minutes left in the game, and the Montreal Canadiens handed the Leafs their first regulation loss since Jan. 20, a 3–1 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Leafs still hold first in the North Division, sitting three points above the second-place team. This week, the team faces the Ottawa Senators three times before yet another battle against Montreal.

The post RECAP: Leafs post 2–1 record for the week appeared first on The Rink.

The Toronto Maple Leafs came off their first break of the season, playing their first of three against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Jason Spezza scored to put the Leafs up 2–1 and then 4–2 before completing the hat trick in the third period. This is Spezza’s eighth career hat trick, and his first in nearly five years.

JASON SPEZZA

WHAT A PLAY! pic.twitter.com/NxtDr4TBQ8

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021

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The Maple Leafs had offense from all through the lineup this game, with 11 players collecting points. Auston Matthews also scored twice in this game, extending his goal streak.

Travis Dermott left the game after the first period with what Head Coach Sheldon Keefe described as a charley horse. It is expected to just be a minor injury, and Dermott should be able to play again soon.

Game two

With Dermott unavailable, Mikko Lehtonen drew back into the lineup for Toronto.

The Leafs dominated early, with 14 shots against Vancouver netminder Braden Holtby before allowing one to reach Frederik Andersen. Matthews and Wayne Simmonds both scored twice, and early in the third period, the Leafs had a 5–0 lead.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Are you kidding? 3-1 pic.twitter.com/sdGLsNKKqK

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 7, 2021

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With nine minutes left in the third, Simmonds took a puck to the hand and left the game.

Close up of it. Went right off the top of Simmonds’ hand pic.twitter.com/PpxHJWVNqX

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 7, 2021

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There is not definite recovery timeline yet for the veteran forward. When asked, Keefe only said that Simmonds was still being assessed, and there will not be an update until Monday. However, Elliotte Friedman did say he has heard it could be up to six weeks. This is a major loss for the team, as they are already without Nick Robertson and Joe Thornton.

Andersen was steady all game, stopping 27 shots.

The Fred wall is still up pic.twitter.com/753QoyWmjm

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 7, 2021

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Unfortunately, Brock Boeser scored on the power play late in the third to end the shutout bid, and the game ended 5–1.

Matthews scored twice, again, in this game. After starting relatively slow (in relation to his normal production), Matthews is on a seven-game goal streak, with nine goals over that time.

The Maple Leafs are now 7–0–1 over their last eight games and have one point more than the Montreal Canadiens to hold the North Division lead. Toronto plays the Canucks once more on Monday before taking on the Canadiens twice on Wednesday and Friday.

The post WEEKLY RECAP: Leafs go 2–0 against struggling Canucks appeared first on The Rink.

The Toronto Maple Leafs started their first extended road trip of the season in Calgary, facing the Flames twice. 

Jack Campbell started in net for Toronto. Having a consistent backup goalie is something the team desperately needed last season and allows them to give Frederik Andersen a break. This is especially important with this year’s condensed game schedule. As well, Auston Matthews returned to the lineup after missing the previous 4–2 win. When asked about why he sat during the last game, he explained that it was an ongoing issue.

“Obviously take care of it here the next couple of weeks, but it feels a lot better, feel more than good enough to play and good enough to go out there and contribute to the team,” Matthews said in an interview.

Speaking of Matthews, his goal in this game was his first against the Flames. He has now scored against all 30 NHL teams. Wayne Simmonds also scored in this game, his first goal with the Maple Leafs.

Campbell was the Leafs’ best player in this game and stopped 31 of the 33 shots he faced. Near the end of the game, however, he went down and appeared to be in serious pain. Although Campbell finished the game, he will be out for “weeks” with an unspecified leg injury. This is massively unfortunate for the team, as they lost Aaron Dell to waivers just last week.

Game two

Going into the second game against the Flames, Toronto Head Coach Sheldon Keefe made a couple of small lineup changes. In addition to Michael Hutchinson replacing Campbell in the blue paint, Jason Spezza and Alexander Barabanov sat. Travis Boyd and Joey Anderson (both acquired over the summer—Boyd in free agency and Anderson in the Andreas Johnsson trade) drew into the lineup.

The Flames got off to a slow start, and the Leafs picked up a two-goal lead in the first period. In the second, however, the Leafs lost all their momentum and let the Flames back into the game. This team clearly still struggles with consistency. Johnny Gaudreau tied the game at 3–3 in the third period.

In the middle of the third, Matthews scored to regain the lead and the Leafs held on for the two points.

Game three

Barabanov and Spezza replaced Boyd and Anderson, and Travis Dermott filled in for rookie defender Mikko Lehtonen.

The game was back and forth for the full 60 minutes, at first the Leafs leading 2–0 and then 3–2 before finally winning 4–3. 

Through the beginning portion of this season, the Leafs have not been able to stay out of the penalty box, and it continues to cost them. In this game, they took seven penalties. Three of the penalties were back to back late in the second period—while they were holding on to a one-goal lead. The Oilers’ tying goal in the third period was also the result of a Maple Leafs penalty. Andersen was a huge reason why the Leafs pulled off the win in this game. 

Game four

In this game (and for the remaining games where the team is wearing Reverse Retro or St. Pats jerseys), Jake Muzzin and Zach Hyman served as the alternate captains.

Veterans Jake Muzzin and Zach Hyman will serve as alternate captains tonight in Edmonton.

Muzzin and Hyman will wear an ‘A’ in each of the @MapleLeafs upcoming Reverse Retro and St. Pats games this season. #LeafsForever

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 30, 2021

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Early in the game, the puck slipped by Andersen, and Lehtonen barely stopped the puck from crossing the line. 

Lehtonen covering the puck with his hand gives the Oilers a penalty shot

It was going in pic.twitter.com/gTNq3609SH

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 31, 2021

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This gave the Oilers a penalty shot, which Tyler Ennis took and missed the net on.

Dominik Kahun scored to take the lead later in the first. Although William Nylander tied it up not long after, the Oilers scored again to take the lead heading into the second. Early in the second period, Connor McDavid went end to end, evaded Jake Muzzin and beat Andersen to put Edmonton up 3–1.

McDavid went full end-to-end video game pic.twitter.com/rdSymdoWqM

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 31, 2021

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Matthews scored his sixth goal of the season and Hyman picked up a power play marker to tie the game up at 3–3.

In the third, Andersen was forced to make some big saves.

HIS NAME IS FREDERIK ANDERSEN pic.twitter.com/5eJc6rnvzW

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 31, 2021

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However, McDavid got the last laugh, winning the game for the Oilers in overtime.

After the game, Keefe had a lot to say about Lehtonen’s performance, and it was not all good. Keefe pointed out that Lehtonen did not look comfortable when he was not on the power play, and that Lehtonen has a long way to go in terms of being a regular in the lineup. The Leafs’ defense situation has been interesting this year. Dermott and Lehtonen have been trading off every other game or so, and Rasmus Sandin has yet to play a game.

The Leafs are now 7–2–1 on the season and sit first in their division, though they have played two more games than the second-place Montreal Canadiens. Toronto starts this week on a three-day break before facing the Vancouver Canucks at home.

The post WEEKLY RECAP: Leafs collect seven points on Alberta road trip appeared first on The Rink.

Nick Robertson was placed on long-term injured reserve, and Aaron Dell and Jason Spezza were placed on waivers. Dell was claimed (as expected, based on the desperation for goaltending this season). Jason Spezza, on the other hand, made it clear that if he was claimed by another team he would be retiring, and because of this, he cleared waivers. Toronto now has the ability to carry 19 players. The team then called up Pierre Engvall. Engvall signed a two-year deal last February, before he began having issues producing. At the beginning of this season, Engvall did not even make the taxi squad.

Monday, Jan. 18: Winnipeg Jets
Sheldon Keefe ran with seven defenders and 11 forwards, allowing Mikko Lehtonen to crack the lineup for the first time. Lehtonen signed with the Leafs over the summer, and started this year in the KHL, amassing 17 points in 17 games, before coming to North America for training camp. Connor Hellebuyck and Frederik Andersen were both sharp early, and the first period ended 0–0. The Leafs’ penalty kill also looked much better than the week prior, only allowing two shots on their first kill.

The power play has been a highlight for the Leafs so far this season, and early in the second period, put the Leafs up by one. Mitch Marner (who, to start this season, has arguably been the Leafs’ best forward) extended the lead, but Kyle Connor brought the Jets back within one at 2–1. The Leafs held on, Marner getting the empty net goal to end it. Andersen, once again, looked good. Lehtonen was excellent. While he is clearly still adjusting to the different ice size (and its effect on timing and gap control), he was skating well and made good decisions with the puck. The Leafs this season are deep on defence, almost too deep. In fact, Rasmus Sandin has yet to make it into a game.

Wednesday, Jan. 20: Edmonton Oilers
This game was expected to be a high-scoring, high-offense game. But, it really was not. The first goal of the game was an own goal that beat Andersen after deflecting off Jake Muzzin‘s skate. In the third period, Auston Matthews scored, standing on the goal line by the net, to tie the game up at 1–1.

The game-winning goal for the Oilers came after a controversial penalty call.

Jake Muzzin gets 2 minutes because Yamamoto decided to dive pic.twitter.com/ElayOwGHYZ

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 21, 2021

From this angle, it does not look like Muzzin actually takes the penalty.

A big issue in this game was the lack of secondary scoring. In fact, it has been an issue throughout the season so far for Toronto. The Leafs’ strength is their depth, especially compared to the other teams in their division. Even with Matthews’ line taking on the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisatl line (meaning other lines had more favorable matchups), there was still no production from the depth.

Joe Thornton left the game after a rough hit along the boards in the third period. After the game, it was announced he had a fractured rib and would be placed on LTIR for a minimum of four weeks.

Friday, Jan. 22: The Oilers, again
Matthews did not play in the second game against the Oilers, the team citing “upper-body soreness” as the reason why. This seems to just be a maintenance day, as Matthews is not seriously injured and is set to play Sunday against the Calgary Flames.

The Leafs struggled with zone exits early, but Andersen stood tall, and the first period ended 0–0. The first power play unit struggled without Matthews, and ended up giving up a shorthanded goal. Later in the same penalty, the Leafs tied it up, as Spezza set up Adam Brooks for the goal. Jimmy Vesey gave the Leafs the lead minutes later. In this game, the team’s depth was much more productive.

The Leafs ended up taking the game 4–2.

The Leafs start next week in Calgary, where they play the Flames twice before playing the Oilers two more times.

The post WEEKLY RECAP: Leafs go 2–1 in trio of contests appeared first on The Rink.

Opening night

The Toronto Maple Leafs opened their season last Wednesday night, the first of 10 games against the Montreal Canadiens, and came away with a 5–4 win.

One thing to note about this game is what happened with Auston Matthews on the penalty kill. Matthews was on the ice for the first penalty kill of the game and blocked a Shea Weber slap shot. After that, Toronto Head Coach Sheldon Keefe only had him out for the face-offs before waving him back to the bench.

The Leafs took too many penalties, a common theme through this week, and the penalty kill was just not good. They consistently gave Montreal too much space in the neutral zone, which allowed them to create too many chances off the rush and eventually, goal.

The Leafs, on a two-man advantage, tied the game and took it to overtime, where Morgan Rielly got the game winner.

Senators, part one

On Friday, the Leafs got to face the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs dominated for the majority of the first period, picking up an early lead. However, with minutes left in the period, they took two consecutive penalties. The Sens scored, tying up the game. In the second period (after regaining the lead), the Leafs collapsed, giving up four straight. New year, same issues with this team. 

Despite a late goal, the Senators took the game 5–3.

Frederik Andersen had an off night in net for Toronto. He was not necessarily terrible, but he was not good either. Andersen is known for being slow to start the season. Still, with only 56 games this year, hopefully that improves fast. Another player not having a good time was TJ Brodie (too many turnovers), yet that was not the most concerning part of this game. Joe Thornton played 18 minutes in this game. John Tavares? Only 15. William Nylander was not too far behind that, only playing 16. This was just bizarre, especially following their performance on Wednesday. 

Senators, part two

Saturday was the second half of the back-to-back against the Sens. There were some lineup changes going into the Hockey Night in Canada game. Keefe went with a tandem of Jack Campbell and Aaron Dell, giving Andersen a full day of rest. Nicholas Robertson subbed in for Aleksander Barabanov. Robertson joined the Leafs in the playoff bubble this August after scoring 55 goals in 46 games in the OHL. He played four games and scored his first NHL goal.

Early in the first period, the Leafs took yet another offensive zone penalty. They also gave up another 5-on-3 in the second period. Somehow, they managed to make it to the third period with the lead.

Robertson left the game early, only on the ice for two minutes before sustaining a knee injury. All that is known right now is that he will be having an MRI to assess what happened. 

Tim Stützle scored his first NHL goal late to bring the Sens within one, but the Leafs held on for the 3–2 win.

Over the course of the three games played this week, the Leafs took 39 penalty minutes, many of them in the offensive or neutral zone. This may be attributed to no preseason and being rusty after months with no hockey, but this cannot continue. Toronto managed to get off fairly easy, especially against the Senators, but will soon be facing better teams with better power play units. Considering the shortened season, giving up these opportunities is going to become a big issue. 

As for other news, on Sunday morning, Dell and Jason Spezza were put on waivers in order to be assigned to the taxi squad. With many teams in the league desperate for goaltending, it is plausible that Dell will be claimed. On the other hand, Spezza—through his agent—has made it clear that he will not be playing for any other NHL team.

The Leafs start their second week on Monday, squaring off against the Winnipeg Jets at home.

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were coming off of being shut out in game one, and were desperate to break Columbus goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.

Blue Jacket blue liner Dean Kukan left game after a big hit by Kyle Clifford on the first shift.

Kyle Clifford making his presence on the ice known early pic.twitter.com/KyTP86Xp4c

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

The Leafs had some good chances early, as well as an unsuccessful power play.

Nylander finds Tavares who heads to the net on Korpisalo pic.twitter.com/n7LIS5CCgh

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

Maple Leaf netminder Fredrik Andersen was forced to make a big save on a shorthanded two-on-one rush from Columbus.

First big stop by Andersen as the Blue Jackets get a chance shorthanded pic.twitter.com/buk5MdKhS3

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

With Kukan still out, Columbus defender Zach Werenski took an awkward fall and needed his hand taped up. However, both defenders would end up returning to the game.

Werenski getting his hand taped up pic.twitter.com/QKVM26w3d5

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

For the first part of the second, the Blue Jackets and Leafs traded power plays, and despite a number of chances, neither goalie was broken.

William Nylander came so close to scoring here pic.twitter.com/zdMPRccyyV

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

Late in the period, Auston Matthews finally broke Korpisalo, tipping in a Zach Hyman pass for a 1–0 Toronto lead. 

The dam breaks!
Auston Matthews scores his first! pic.twitter.com/wbn2xk1Snh

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

Following the second period, shots were 28–8. In fact, throughout the period, the Blue Jackets were held to only four shots at five-on-five action.

Four minutes into the third period, John Tavares buried a breakaway chance to extend the Maple Leaf advantage.

“When the chances are there, the goals will come”
LEAFS 2-0 #LeafsForever | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/2MPgujZ9r5

— Jacqueline Taylor (@jxcquelineoh) August 4, 2020

Tavares was arguably the best Leaf player during that game and was definitely playing much better than he had been on Sunday. 

With just under two minutes left in the game, Toronto defenseman Jake Muzzin went down after being cross-checked from behind by Blue Jacket forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. 

Muzzin goes down. His head clips Bjorkstrand’s knee pic.twitter.com/1uimOKF4Qc

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

Muzzin was then stretchered off the ice. He was in contact with medical staff and moving his limbs the entire time, which is a good sign. It appeared as though the medical staff was most concerned about the state of Muzzin’s neck. 

With 42 seconds left, Toronto blue liner Morgan Rielly hit the empty net from his own end to seal the game. 

Morgan Rielly puts it into the empty-net all the way from his own end pic.twitter.com/OHJ6qZkHLD

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) August 4, 2020

After the game, Maple Leaf head coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that Muzzin had been brought to a nearby hospital and was responsive. Keene also mentioned that he does not know the protocol, considering Muzzin had left the bubble. 

Andersen with the first Leaf playoff shutout since Ed Belfour against the Senators on April 16, 2004 at SBA.

— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) August 4, 2020

Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski: “First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Jake Muzzin. … No hockey game is as important as someone’s health so we’re thinking of him right now.”

— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) August 4, 2020

Game three

The Maple Leafs entered game three missing a key defenceman in Muzzin. Muzzin was released from the hospital the day prior, but will not be available for the rest of the play-in series. Martin Marincin drew in for the first time this postseason in Muzzin’s place.

Toronto defender Cody Ceci opened the scoring late in the first period, his shot bouncing off of a skate and in for a 1–0 Leaf lead.

An absolute rocket #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/2AdSuMUqhq

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 7, 2020

This goal was Ceci’s first shorthanded goal as well as his first postseason goal.

Midway through the second, William Nylander converted on the power play. This was the Leafs’ first five-on-four goal of the series, and it was in a large part due to Mitch Marner.

this Marner seam pass was, as the kids say, extremely accuratepic.twitter.com/HbbVPPfv3W

— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) August 7, 2020

Shortly after, Nick Robertson notched his first NHL goal. A fun record, Robertson is the first 18-year-old to score a playoff goal for the Leafs in 76 years.

Let it rip, Nick!#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/UMg5ujUCuW

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) August 7, 2020

Following the Robertson goal, Elvis Merzlikins replaced Korpisalo in net.

Dubois would shorten the Leafs’ lead on the power play late in the second, and the period ended with a score of 3–1.

The Leafs became sloppy and careless in the third period, something which was a theme throughout this entire season, which lead to a number of odd-man rushes and other good chances for Columbus. Blue Jacket defenseman Seth Jones jumped on a loose puck after a scramble in front of the Leafs’ net to bring the Jackets to within one at 3–2.

Dubois then closed the gap by finishing off a two-on-one to tie the game at 3–3.

The game went into overtime, and Dubois, with his third goal of the night, on a partial breakaway, ended it.

This game looked like almost every regular season Leaf game. The Leafs have a strong first and second period, but absolutely fall apart in the third. As Keefe remarked after the game, the team did not have “any purpose or plan to (their) game.”

The Leafs and Blue Jackets return to the ice Friday at 8 p.m.

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Games two and three recap appeared first on The Rink.

Off to summer camp.

Phase 3 Return to Play roster announced. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/GncCslBpO6

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 12, 2020

Nic Petan and Pontus Aberg were two of the forwards that did not make the original phase three roster. However, it was later corrected, as Petan was deemed “fit to play” and replaced Mac Hollowell. Aberg, on the other hand, has signed with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk and does not plan on returning to North America.

Nicholas Robertson is another forward who made the phase three return to play roster. Robertson, picked 53rd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, certainly made himself a prospect to watch over the last year. In 46 games played, Robertson tallied 55 goals and 31 assists for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes. Following practice on Monday, his new teammates had nothing but good things to say about him. Morgan Rielly explained that “he’s a guy that’s going to continue to push,” and “it’s good to have people like that on board.”

Nick Robertson is getting a look today on the Leafs No. 1 power-play unit, joining Matthews, Tavares, Nylander and Barrie.

— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 14, 2020

Jeremy Bracco was a name that did not appear on the roster. Back in May, when the AHL season was canceled, the Toronto Marlies’ general manager described Bracco’s season as “interesting,” which may actually be the best way to describe it. At training camp prior to the 2019–20 season, Bracco was coming out of his best season in the AHL yet. He had led the Marlies with 79 points, had played at over a point-per-game pace during the playoffs and had seen his defensive game start to improve. However, even with the injuries that plagued the Leafs this year, Bracco failed to crack the roster. The closest he came to playing for the NHL team was a day spent in the press box. Over the season, his stats dropped and his defensive game—a reoccurring criticism—somehow became worse.

The right wing has not played a game since early February when he took a leave of absence for “personal reasons.” While it is entirely possible that Bracco is not ready to return to hockey yet, there is also the question of where Bracco will go next. He is currently heading toward restricted free agency without arbitration rights.

Andreas Johnsson also did not appear on the roster. The left wing was on a six-month recovery timeline after his knee injury back on Feb. 13, of which surgery followed. As Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas noted during his press conference on Monday, Johnsson has done well with rehab back home and the club is waiting to see where he is at in the coming weeks.

Kyle Dubas said Andreas Johnsson was on a six-month timeline to recover from knee injury, said he's done well with rehab back home and are excited to see where he'll be at in the coming weeks

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 12, 2020

Ilya Mikheyev has also rejoined the Leafs after sitting a large part of the season out due to injury and has become a stronger, faster player. Mikheyev has been put back with his previous linemates, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

Mikheyev to Tavares pic.twitter.com/M8x4P3oh1g

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) July 13, 2020

On Monday, Timothy Liljegren was deemed “unfit to play.” However, he has been seen at the arena watching practice and speaking to a medical trainer. This meaning his absence is likely injury related rather than coronavirus related. On Tuesday, it was announced that Hollowell would be replacing Liljegren on the roster, at least for the time being.

Liljegren did make an appearance at #Leafs camp yesterday, talking to medical trainer Paul Ayotte. Likely some sort of injury issue holding him out. pic.twitter.com/Tm3jDIpLZf

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 14, 2020

Defenceman Mac Hollowell has replaced defenceman Timothy Liljegren on the Phase 3 Return to Play roster.#LeafsForever

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 14, 2020

The post The Leafs are back: Here is what you need to know appeared first on The Rink.

The NHLPA voted last week to approve the 24-team format proposed by the Return to Play committee. The top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament to decide seeding, while seeds five through 12 in each conference would play a best-of-five “play-in” round.

In his news conference, Bettman said the Return To Play committee was still deciding whether the format would be a bracket or use reseeding, as well as if the playoff round where the field would be down to 16 teams, would remain a best-of-seven games or use a best-of-five games format like in the play-in round.

Also, the play-in round will not be considered “playoffs,” as pointed out by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun:

NHL says the round-robin/play-in are considered Qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs. And while this could still change, the NHL as of now considers that round a special set of games and not actual playoffs. So for record-keeping purposes, the playoffs weren't expanded from 16

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 26, 2020

The league released a memo Monday announcing it targeted early June as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol. Phase 2 includes the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

According to the 29-page memo, “It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last. We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

In his news conference, Bettman deemed the 2019–20 season officially closed. Regular season awards can be voted on and regular season records and stats will be final as of March 12.

Bettman said that he did not believe that NHL training camps, which are part of Phase 3 of the return to play process, would be open before the first half of July.

On the topic of the NHL Draft Lottery, Bettman made clear that there would be 15 teams eligible for the lottery for the top three picks of the draft: The seven teams already eliminated from any postseason play, and the eight teams that will be eliminated during the play-in round.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie broke down the draft process:

NHL Draft Lottery will be on Friday June 26. The Nos. 1, 2 and 3 picks will be up for grabs. Fifteen teams — the seven who are no longer playing plus 8 more currently identified as Teams A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H — will be in the lottery. Same lottery odds as prior years.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

If the winner of the No. 1 pick draw comes from the bottom 7 seven teams (DET, OTT, SJ (belongs to OTT), LA, ANA, NJ, BUF), that team is awarded No. 1. If the winner of the No. 1 pick draw comes from the other 8 teams, the No. 1 pick will be awarded in the Phase 2 lottery.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the bottom 7 seven teams (DET, OTT, SJ (belongs to OTT), LA, ANA, NJ, BUF), that team is awarded No. 3. If the winner of the No. 3 pick draw comes from the other 8 teams, the No. 3 pick will be awarded in the Phase 2 lottery.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 26, 2020

Everyone clear? Good.

There are still massive amounts of details for the NHL to iron out before the 24-team playoff format can actually begin, including testing procedures, hub cities for games to be played and safety of the teams and personnel involved in making these games happen.

On the subject of hub cities to host the play-in rounds and the playoffs, TSN’s Frank Seravalli and The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline and Thomas Drance gave insight prior to Bettman’s Tuesday news conference:

Don't believe decision coming today on hub cities. But hearing 10 teams still in running to be a hub. List includes: Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 26, 2020

Columbus is still under consideration to be a hub city for the #NHL’s re-start.

But told hub cities won’t be part of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s announcement at 4:30 p.m. ET today.#CBJ

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 26, 2020

Told that on the NHL general manager's call Vancouver was among the markets listed as still being under consideration as a hub city.

No decision as of yet, but aside from Columbus – as @Aportzline reported – most of the hub cities are in the West.

— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) May 26, 2020

Bettman confirmed in his news conference that there are 10 cities being considered, including Chicago, Columbus, Las Vegas, Edmonton, Dallas, St. Paul (Minnesota), Vancouver, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Hub city considerations were based around testing capacity, local government quarantine policies and the caseloads in the cities considered. Bettman estimated the two conference hub cities will be selected within the next three or four weeks.

The league taking these first steps are a hopeful sign toward completing the 2019–20 season and naming a 2020 Stanley Cup champion.

The Stanley Cup has been awarded every year since 1893, with two exceptions: 1919 because of the Spanish flu outbreak and 2005 when the league’s lockout led to the cancellation of the entire 2004–05 season.

The post NHL makes 24-team return to play format official, lays out draft lottery process appeared first on The Rink.

The NHLPA Executive Board authorized further negotiations with the NHL on the league’s “return to play” plan late Friday night. The plan’s format would be an expanded 24-team playoff to determine the 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion.

“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” a statement from the NHLPA said. “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.​”

Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche congratulates Pavel Francouz #39 following their 1-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 21, 2020 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

In the 24-team playoff format, the top four seeds in each conference, based on points percentage, qualify for “first-round” byes to begin the postseason. The next eight teams in the Eastern and Western conferences would then play in a best-of-five “play-in” round of the playoffs.

The top four teams in the Eastern Conference (Boston, Tampa Bay, Washington, and Philadelphia) and the top four in the Western Conference (St. Louis, Colorado, Dallas, and Vegas) would play each other to determine the top four seeds while the opening “play-in” round took place for the Eastern and Western seeds five through twelve.

A look at the opening round of the Eastern Conference:

• 5. Pittsburgh vs. 12. Montreal – winner plays the four seed
• 6. Carolina vs. 11. Rangers – winner plays the three seed
• 7. Islanders vs. 10. Florida – winner plays the two seed
• 8. Toronto vs. 9. Columbus – winner plays the one seed

Toronto’s Mitch Marner, left, and Columbus’ Seth Jones fight for the puck during the first period of the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win against the Blue Jackets. (Jay LaPrete/The Associated Press)

Here is the opening round of the Western Conference:

• 5. Edmonton vs. 12. Chicago – winner plays the four seed
• 6. Nashville vs. 11. Arizona – winner plays the three seed
• 7. Vancouver vs. 10. Minnesota – winner plays the two seed
• 8. Calgary vs. 9. Winnipeg – winner plays the one seed

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks.

There is the chance that the return to play format could change once the dust settles, as reported by Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun:

Even with this affirmative vote, there are still some details with the 24-team playoff format still to be worked out between the NHL and NHLPA. One of them is whether they'll go ahead with a playoff bracket or use reseeding.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 23, 2020

To recap: the NHLPA has agreed to the format itself even though there are other important issues and elements to negotiate. The NHL now will go through its own process and I would expect some form of announcement within the next few days.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 23, 2020

The timeline for the NHL to return to play still is undetermined. Important factors like testing, travel, hub cities, etc. are all under consideration. The most important thing the NHL and the NHLPA must ensure is the health and safety of the players, coaches, team personnel, and all those involved in the hosting of the games when the league does return to the ice.

Until then, this is a hopeful step forward for the NHL and hockey fans alike.

The post NHLPA authorizes further negotiations on NHL 24-team return to play format appeared first on The Rink.

Keefe decided to start Jack Campbell against the Sharks, with Calle Rosen drawing in and Rasmus Sandin sitting. 

Keefe admits he’s worried about putting too much pressure on rookies Sandin (19) & Liljegren (20)

“It’s important for us to not allow our circumstances to put those guys in difficult spots”

Says addition of Rosen creates some flexibility https://t.co/CDIMjjRcTW

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) March 3, 2020

The Leafs struggled early. Less than a minute in, a giveaway in their own zone forced Campbell to make a big save on Timo Meier. Although the Leafs had their fair share of chances, the Sharks struck first on the powerplay, Evander Kane tipping in Brent Burns’ point shot. The score going into the first intermission was still 1–0. Early in the second period, Auston Matthews picked up a loose puck to score goal number 46, tying the game up at one. Following a weird bounce off both the glass and an official, BLANK Suomela managed to beat Campbell, making it 2–1. The Sharks continued their barrage, and with the shots on the period 9–1 for the California team, Campbell was forced to make this save.

Jack Campbell robs Evander Kane off the wraparound pic.twitter.com/Ubht2mcbPF

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 4, 2020

Mitch Marner managed to tie the game at two with a highlight-reel goal.

Magic Mitch!

Mitch Marner ties the game with a highlight-reel goal pic.twitter.com/1kY4nMQKG6

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 4, 2020

The game went into the second intermission with the score stuck at 2–2. Less than six minutes into the final frame, the Sharks retook the lead, once again following an odd bounce. Try as they might, the Leafs simply could not break Martin Jones.

Marner came close to tying the game but Jones made a big save. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/eyHHcSUiF9

— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) March 4, 2020

Kane scored his second of the night and Radim Simek potted the empty netter. The Sharks downed the Leafs by a score of 5–2.

Thursday vs the Los Angeles Kings

Sandin drew back into the lineup (Rosen the healthy scratch), and Frederik Andersen started in net. This was also the first time the Leafs and Kings have faced off since the midseason trade that sent Campbell and Kyle Clifford to Toronto and Trevor Moore to LA.

The Kings had chances early on, but Andersen shut the door.

Moore grabs the puck in the neutral zone and sets up Martin Frk for a shot on Andersen pic.twitter.com/0U2h5aBQOU

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2020

Despite opportunities both ways, neither team managed to score. The game went to first intermission 0–0 with shots on goal in favour of LA, 11–5. The most notable part of that period was Drew Doughty laying a huge hit on his former teammate.

Drew Doughty gets a decent hit on former teammate Kyle Clifford pic.twitter.com/Wz8PYSRs9q

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2020

Early in the second period, the Leafs had a flurry of shorthanded chances, but could not beat Jonathan Quick.

Kapanen breaks away as he picks up the turnover in the neutral zone but the shot rings off the post pic.twitter.com/vYuOSLeQ2a

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2020

Kapanen breaks away as he picks up the turnover in the neutral zone but the shot rings off the post pic.twitter.com/vYuOSLeQ2a

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2020

The rest of the period was mainly in favour of the Leafs but the second intermission came with the score frozen at 0–0. Neither team scored in the third period, and regulation ended. After an overtime in which neither team scored, the game went into the shootout. Neither team scored in the first round of the shootout. In the second round, once again, neither team scored (Auston Matthews whiffing on the puck). In the third round, both Anze Kopitar and William Nylander scored, making a fourth round necessary. Adrian Kempe scored, Mitch Marner did not, and the Kings beat the Leafs by a score of 1–0.

Friday vs the Anaheim Ducks

Prior to the game, the Leafs activated defenceman Cody Ceci from injured reserve. Ceci missed over a month with a high ankle sprain. In a corresponding move, the club sent down defensemen Timothy Liljegren. Keefe made the decision to scratch Sandin, while Ceci slotted in next to Calle Rosen.

Just over three minutes into the game, a miscommunication between Ceci and Rosen led to the Ducks taking the lead, with Carter Rowney left alone and getting the goal.

There were some shaky moments early in the game, including a sequence which led to Travis Dermott preventing a goal.

Travis Dermott assists on Jack Campbell’s save#LeafsForever | #Leafs pic.twitter.com/JPs2FkfKj0

— Jacqueline Taylor (@jxcquelineoh) March 7, 2020

However, Jack Campbell was called upon to make some difficult saves in the latter part of the first period and he delivered.

*taps pads*#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/X55hoycoMg

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 7, 2020

The game went to first intermission with the Ducks up 1–0. The Leafs came on strong to start the second period but could not beat John Gibson. 

With the Ducks on the powerplay, Campell made a save point blank to keep the score 1–0

California glove #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/1Pfj0cwaGV

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 7, 2020

On the Ducks’ second shot of the third period, Adam Henrique doubled up the lead. Directly after the goal, Gibson left the game, Ryan Miller coming into the game in relief. Sheldon Keefe pulled Campbell early, and with three minutes left in the game, William Nylander beat Miller blocker side.

Nylander nets his 30th of the season#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/CkJaRsrVCy

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 7, 2020

The Leafs could not find the equalizer, and the game ended 2–1.

Quick facts

• The game on Thursday against the Kings was Zach Hyman’s 300th regular season game as well as Kasperi Kapanen’s 200th. 

Zach Hyman is skating in the 300th regular season game of his NHL career tonight while Kasperi Kapanen is skating in his 200th. #LeafsForever

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) March 6, 2020

• In accordance with one of the NHL’s most confusing rules, both Jonathan Quick and Frederik Andersen were awarded shutouts following Thursday’s game.
• Thursday night marked the first time the Leafs have been shutout this season.

• Kevlar/Cutproof material will be readily available for players to prevent skate cuts (similar to what happened to Ilya Mikheyev earlier this season) 

GMs heard a presentation today on new cutproof / kevlar reinforced undergarments, to prevent injury like the skate cut #Leafs’ Ilya Mikheyev suffered earlier this season. Plan is for a poster of all available items to be posted in league dressing rooms so players are aware.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 3, 2020

• William Nylander hit 30 goals on Friday night for the first time in his career. 
• There were many updates on the injured Leafs this week. Cody Ceci returned on Friday night, Morgan Rielly is now listed as day to day (has not played since January 12th when he sustained a fractured foot) and Mikheyev is expected to play again this season.

Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci are on track to return at some point next week, according to Sheldon Keefe.

The #leafs also believe Ilya Mikheyev will play again this season, although his timeline is a little longer than Rielly and Ceci.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 2, 2020

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

The Detroit Red Wings picked up Dmytro Timashov off of waivers. Timashov hasn’t regularly been in the Leafs lineup and has not played since Denis Malgin was acquired. Following the pickup, there was some speculation as to whether Timashov had requested a trade.

I believe Timashov had asked TOR for a trade: https://t.co/RkQpGfShXn

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 24, 2020

At 11:30 AM, the Toronto Maple Leafs re-acquired Calle Rosen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Michael Hutchinson. Rosen was originally sent to the Avalanche in the blockbuster deal that saw Alexander Kerfoot, Tyson Barrie and a sixth round pick come to Toronto, while Rosen, Nazem Kadri, and a third round pick were sent to Colorado. Rosen is a good depth pick up for the team,  especially with the injuries to the Leafs’ blue line. Both Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci are still injured and have no clear timeline for return to gameplay.

Michael Hutchinson had a difficult start to the season. In his first seven games, all losses, he let in at least four goals, and in five of those games, he let in five or more. Although he appeared to be improving as the season went on, when Frederik Andersen was injured, the Leafs simply could not buy a save from Hutchinson. Hutchinson played his last game with the Leafs on February 5, a 5-3 loss where the goaltender greatly struggled. Following the game, Kyle Dubas made a move to acquire Jack Campbell and, once Andersen was healthy, Hutchinson was put on waivers. Although Hutchinson has struggled in Toronto, the Avalanche need depth goaltenders as they deal with a barrage of injuries.

The Leafs also re-signed Jake Muzzin to a contract that will pay him $5,265,000 for the next four years. 

Tuesday vs the Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov beat Andersen early to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. Minutes later, with the fourth line hard at work, Jake Muzzin blasted the puck by Andrei Vasilevsky to tie the game. On the powerplay, John Tavares tipped Tyson Barrie’s shot to give the Leafs the lead. The score held at 2-1 for the rest of the period. Patrick Maroon tied the game up 11:54 into the second period, but less than a minute later, John Tavares got his second goal of the night and the Leafs regained the lead. William Nylander gave the Leafs a 4–2 lead, putting the puck between his legs and beating Vasilevsky over the shoulder.

William Nylander scores with a wicked between-the-legs goal pic.twitter.com/Ozhq3Cd7Yz

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 26, 2020

During the second intermission, it was announced that Muzzin will not return to the game due to a hand injury.

Just under ten minutes into the third, Yanni Gourde cut the Leafs lead in half. Tampa came on strong to start the third, and it took half the period for the Maple Leafs to register a single shot. Despite that, Andersen managed to shut the door and the team held on for a 4-3 victory.

Thursday vs the Florida Panthers

Just prior to the game, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe decided to scratch ex-Panther Denis Malgin in favor of playing seven defensemen, with Rosen and Martin Marincin slotting in. Muzzin was still injured.

The Leafs gave up the first goal yet again, with Mark Pysyk getting the tally. However, 70 seconds later, Zach Hyman tied the game off of a backhand pass from Auston Matthews.

Zach Hyman! Ties the game with his 20th! pic.twitter.com/GTlADCAqLw

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 28, 2020

Soon after, Mike Hoffman buried an awkward rebound to put the Panthers back on top. Despite the Leafs putting on pressure, Noel Acciari beat Andersen from a bad angle to extend the lead. That was the third goal Andersen let in on six Panthers shots.

Noel Acciari gets another one for Florida pic.twitter.com/wRhLt7VnFF

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 28, 2020

Kasperi Kapanen beat Sergei Bobrovsky on the powerplay under the right pad. Matthews tied the game with just over a minute left in the period. Following a hit from behind on Travis Dermott, Kapanen dropped the gloves with Mackenzie Weegar. 

Kapanen and Weegar have a conversation and drop the gloves pic.twitter.com/ZmQE07T4Kf

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 28, 2020

The first period ended with the score tied at 3-3. The Leafs put on the pressure at the beginning of the second period, forcing Bobrovsky to make some spectacular saves. 

Zach Hyman forces the turnover and gets the 2-on-1 with Marner but Bobrovsky makes an incredible save pic.twitter.com/HWUgtzHZgs

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 28, 2020

Despite chances at both ends, no goals were scored in the second period, and the game remained 3-3. Following a scramble in front of the net, Nylander found the loose puck and beat Bobrovsky to give the Leafs the lead. That goal is number 29 on the season for Nylander who is having a season full of career highs. Justin Holl potted the empty netter with 20.8 seconds left in the game to seal it.

Saturday vs Vancouver Canucks

Sheldon Keefe elected to play six defencemen and 12 forwards on Saturday night, with Timothy Liljegren the odd man out. Liljegren struggled in the last game against the Panthers, particularly in his own zone. 

On the first shot of the game, Frederick Gauthier beat Thatcher Demko, giving the Leafs an early lead. The Canucks fourth line came right back, Tyler Motte tying the game up. Less than a minute later, Matthews came back to regain the lead, streaking down the wing and beating Demko from a sharp angle.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Matthews puts the Leafs back in the lead with his 45th pic.twitter.com/o2b81S2suY

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 1, 2020

With this goal, Matthews hit  45 on the season and is now on pace for 57 goals. Off a draw won by the Leafs in the defensive draw they could not clear the puck, and following a scramble in front, Tanner Pearson tied the game at two. Despite chances both ways, the second period remained scoreless. 18 seconds into the third period, Marincin collected his own rebound to put the Leafs up 3-2. That goal is Marincin’s first goal since March of last season.

MARTY PARTY #LeafsForever #NextGenGame pic.twitter.com/oi0ue5pRWF

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 1, 2020

Andersen was called on to make some big saves throughout the third, and while there were some close calls, the Canucks did not score. Zach Hyman scored the empty netter. Hyman now has 21 goals on the season, tying his career high from last season. Tyler Toffoli took a hooking penalty with less than a minute left in the game, and that ended the game. The Leafs downed the Canucks with a final score of 4-2.

Quick facts

• Jake Muzzin is expected to miss four weeks following a hand injury sustained in the game against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.
• Zach Hyman is a key part of the Leafs’ penalty kill and is often on the ice at 5-on-6, late in games. Despite only playing 47 games this season (he spent the first part of this season recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL) Hyman currently leads the league in empty net goals with six.

Auston Matthews on Zach Hyman:

“They call him the Sidney Crosby of 6-on-5.”

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 1, 2020

• The Leafs have averaged 31.51 shots against throughout the season. However, in the last three games, with both Frederik Andersen struggling and the defense decimated by injuries, the team has given up less than 30 shots per game.

This season the Leafs average 31.51 shots-against per game.

In all of their past three games, they have allowed less than 30 shots while icing a defense consisting of Dermott, Holl, Barrie, Marincin, Sandin, Liljegren, and Rosen.

They are 3-0 in that span as well.

— Nick DeSouza (@NickDeSouza_) March 1, 2020

• Cody Ceci, who missed a large amount of time with an undisclosed ankle injury, is nearing a return. He participated in the morning skate on Saturday and will join the team on the California road trip next week.
• The Maple Leafs are now five points ahead of the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic division. They are also tied with the New York Islanders (currently in the first Wildcard position in the East) and two points up on the Columbus Blue Jackets (in the second Wildcard position)

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

In a controversial decision prior to the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe scratched Timothy Liljegren and Egor Korshkov, playing Martin Marincin and moving Frederik Gauthier to centre the third line. Evgeni Malkin left due to injury after a quick circuit in warmup, and Anthony Angello was called to fill in. 

https://twitter.com/tictactomar/status/1229919613758181376?s=21 

The Leafs got an early power play, but did not capitalize, and in fact, barely got a set up. On a Pittsburgh power play later in the period, Sidney Crosby threaded a pass tape to tape to Bryan Rust through three players to beat Frederik Andersen. With 2:57 left in the period, Angello tipped a puck by Andersen for his first NHL goal and a 1–0 Pittsburgh advantage. Just before the end of the period, the referees called a high sticking minor on Jake Muzzin. However, in part of the rule changes for this season (which came in response to last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs) the refs were allowed to review the call for “friendly fire” and it was determined that there was no penalty on the play. The Pens lead 2–0 heading into intermission. Three minutes into the second, Crosby fed Jason Zucker on the power play to extend the Pens’ lead to 3–0. The Leafs took yet another penalty and the Pens capitalized, with Hornqvist sliding a cross-crease pass past Muzzin and Andersen, leaving Crosby with an empty net to push the gap to 4–0. The Leafs got a five-on-three power play for 1:18. The Leafs did not capitalize and just after killing the penalty, Teddy Blueger beat a sprawling Andersen for the Pens’ fifth goal. Auston Matthews scored his league leading 43rd of the season and Kyle Clifford collected his first goal as a Leaf, a deflection with his foot, minutes later to cut the lead to three at 4–1. 

https://twitter.com/tictactomar/status/1229919613758181376?s=21 

The period came to a close with the Leafs beginning to put on pressure for the first time all game. The score remained the same throughout the third period, and the Leafs fell to the Pens by a final score of 5–2.

On Wednesday, the Leafs acquired forward Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers and forward Max Veronneau from the Ottawa Senators. https://www.the-rink.com/leafs-make-a-series-of-depth-moves/ 

Thursday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Keefe once again chose to scratch Liljegren in favour of Marincin, and started Andersen over Jack Campbell. Keefe explained starting Andersen as “going with (their) guy.”

Amongst a line shuffle in which only the Matthews’ line stayed intact, Malgin slotted in on John Tavares’ right wing and Alexander Kerfoot dropped back to the third line. 

In the first minutes of the period, the Leafs came out strong, with particularly noticeable contributions from their fourth line. Just prior to the end of the first, the Leafs took a tripping penalty. Despite some close calls, Andersen stood tall, in contrast to Tuesday night’s game where the Penguins’ power play dominated. 

https://twitter.com/jxcquelineoh/status/1230654062321979392?s=21 

The period came to a close with the game tied at 0–0. The beginning of the second period was all Leafs. Off an offensive-zone draw less than 10 minutes into the period, Muzzin fired a shot right past Matt Murray for a 1–0 Toronto lead. The Penguins took two consecutive penalties, similar to Tuesday night, but this time the Leafs capitalized. William Nylander, with all the time in the world, beat Murray cleanly five-hole to double the gap to 2–0. Minutes later, Kerfoot found a streaking Kasperi Kapanen, who beat Murray low to the stick side, pushing the Toronto advantage to 3–0. After Rasmus Sandin was rocked with an arguably late hit by Hornqvuist, Kapanen dropped the gloves with Jared McCann. The second period ended 3–0 Toronto. Early in the third, Zach Hyman outworked Justin Schultz in front of the net to score goal No. 19 in game No. 43. Hyman’s career high is 21 goals, achieved in 71 games last season. The rest of the game was dominated by the Leafs. Although the Penguins applied pressure in the last minute or so of the game, the Leafs only allowed four shots in the third period, two of those coming in the last minute. Though there was a debate as to whether starting Andersen was the right decision, he had an excellent game and has likely regained some confidence.

Following the Pittsburgh game, the Leafs loaned Korshkov to the Toronto Marlies.

Saturday vs. Carolina Hurricanes

There were no lineup changes for the Leafs heading into Saturday night’s Hockey Night in Canada game. Eight scouts from different NHL teams and a scout from Seattle were in attendance.

The game was off to a quick start, with Andersen making a huge save on Andrei Svechikov.

https://twitter.com/tictactomar/status/1231372578406772737?s=21 

Early on in the game, James Reimer was pushed into his net and appeared to injure his knee on the way down and left the game. Petr Mrazek came into the game in relief, and Hyman received a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference. Minutes later, Svechnikov caught Tyson Barrie in a vulnerable position, and sent him head-first into the boards. Barrie went directly down the tunnel, but would return for the second period.

https://twitter.com/tictactomar/status/1231374948343648257?s=21 

On the ensuing power play, the Leafs struggled to gain a zone entry and barely created any pressure. Despite this, the Leafs struck first, with Kerfoot burying the rebound of a shot from Muzzin for a 1–0 lead. Early in the second period, with Andersen outside of his crease and looking lost, the Canes tied the game up at 1–1 before Nino Niederreiter and Warren Foegele scored two consecutive goals to make it 3–1. With Mrazek out to play the puck near the top of the circle, Kyle Clifford reached for the puck and knocked the goalie down. Clifford was originally given a five-minute major, but after review it was changed to a two-minute penalty. Mrazek was forced to leave the game. As this was Carolina’s second goalie of the night to get injured, the emergency goalie was called in. David Ayeres, the emergency goalie at the game, is 42 years old, often practices with the Leafs and is the Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies. On the Canes’ ensuing power play, Travis Dermott proceeded to put the puck into the back of the wrong net, and the score became 4–1 Carolina. The Leafs went on to score two more goals on two shots, with the goals coming from Tavares and Pierre Engvall, cutting the gap to 4–3, which held at the end of the period. The Leafs could not get anything going in the third, with the Hurricanes’ defense barely allowing any zone entries. Foegele netted his second of the night to increase the lead to 5–3, and soon after, Martin Necas also piled on. The Leafs fell to the Hurricanes by a final score of 6–3, with Ayres becoming the first emergency backup to earn a victory.

Postgame, Keefe remarked that it was another embarrassing night for his team. In fact, this game was a humiliating effort from a team that should, and can be, much better. As the playoff push begins in earnest, this Leafs team needs to find some sort of consistency if they want to be playing past April. 

Quick facts

• The Leafs expect to have both Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci back within the regular season
• Headed into trade deadline week, Tyson Barrie has skyrocketed to the top of the “trade bait” board. It was reported that there was a deal almost reached with the Calgary Flames that would send defender T.J. Brodie back to Toronto. However, Brodie has now added Toronto to his no-trade list.
• Another team with interest in Barrie is the Vancouver Canucks
• William Nylander has become the highest-scoring Nylander in a single season with 27 goals so far
• In the middle of Saturday’s game, the Leafs acquired Miikka Salomaki from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Ben Harpur. Harpur has played exclusively with the Marlies this season.
• Ceci is now the last remnant of the Ceci-Zaitsev trade, with the third-round pick going to the Los Angeles Kings, Aaron Luchuk headed to Ottawa and now Harpur with the Predators organization.
• On Saturday night, the Florida Panthers also lost (5–3 against the Vegas Golden Knights), so the Leafs have maintained their playoff spot
• The Leafs placed Dmytro Timashov on waivers on Sunday and he was claimed by Detroit on Monday

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

Date	The-Rink Division	Outgoing Player/Pick	Opposite Team	Player/Pick Received
2/19/20		Mason Marchment		Denis Malgin
2/19/20		Aaron Luchuk and a conditional 2021 6th round draft pick		Max Veronneau
2/22/20		Miikka Salomaki		Ben Harpur
2/24/20		Michael Hutchinson		Calle Rosen
2/24/20		Erik Gustafsson		Third round draft pick
2/24/20		Vladislav Namestnikov		2021 fourth round pick
2/24/20		Part 1 Robin Lehner		Malcolm Subban, Slava Demin and a 2nd round pick
2/24/20		Part 2 Robin Lehner and Martins Dzierkals		2020 5th round draft pick
2/24/20		Nathan Noel		TJ Brennan
2/24/20		Markus Hannikainen		conditional 2020 seventh round pick
2/24/20		Sonny Milano		Devin Shore
2/24/20		Jordan Schmaltz		Matt Lorito

Trade Analysis:

• Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers for Mason Marchment
• Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Max Veronneau from the Ottawa Senators for Aaron Luchuk and conditional 2021 sixth round pick
• Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Ben Harpur from the Nashville Predators for Miikka Solomaki
• Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Calle Rosen from the Colorado Avalanche for Michael Hutchinson
• Colorado Avalanche acquired Vladislav Namestnikov from the Ottawa Senators for a 2021 fourth round pick
• Chicago Blackhawks trade Erik Gustafsson to the Calgary Flames for a third round pick
• Chicago Blackhawks trade Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights for Malcom Subban, and a second round pick.
• Chicago Blackhawks trade Nathan Noel to the Philadelpia Flyers for T.J. Brennan.
• Arizona Coyotes acquired Markus Hannikainen from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional 2020 seventh round pick
• Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Devin Shore from the Anaheim Ducks for Sonny Milano
• New York Islanders traded Matt Lorito to Toronto Maple Leafs for Jordan Schmaltz

Also, be sure follow the entire The-Rink staff on Twitter for up to the minute updates, as well:

The Rink Official

Chicago Divison
The Rinkcast
Jeff Osborn
John Jaeckel
Mario Tirabassi
Ray Napientek
Juliana Nikac
Eric Andrews
Matt Csakai
Ron Luce
Sean Fitzgerald
Lenny Arquilla
Eric Johnson

Colorado Divison
Aaron Goldschmidt
JJ Seaward
Lucas Rozell
Marie Sexton

Toronto Divison
Cristina Caruso

Columbus Divison

The post The-Rink.com 2020 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on The Rink.

Denis Malgin was acquired in a trade with the the Florida Panthers. In return, the Panthers picked up Mason Marchement. This trade follows a dismal effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night. Malgin is primarily a centre, but can play on the wing as well. He will likely be playing centre, particularly if Alexander Kerfoot, who was acquired to centre the third line, continues to play on John Tavares’ wing. Malgin has four goals and 12 points in 36 games. This season, the 23-year-old Swiss native has a low expected goal share, has been great in the past and decent recently at managing shot quality and has been good in transition. Malgin carries a cap hit of $750,000 and is scheduled to be a restricted free agent in July.

https://twitter.com/chartinghockey/status/1230163103461056512?s=21

Marchement has established himself as a reliable, skilled AHL forward. The forward has appeared in four games with the Leafs this season. He was undrafted and joined the Toronto Marlies in 2016. Marchement has played 24 games with the Toronto Marlies this season and has amassed 18 points. The reason he has struggled at the next level is that his skating is under average, and facing better competition, he has not been able to keep up.

It is important to note that Marchement has not been able to regularly make it into the Leafs lineup, while Malgin, who is two years younger than Marchement, has considerable NHL experience.

Later that day, Kyle Dubas acquired Max Veronneau in exchange for Aaron Luchuk and a conditional 2021 sixth-round pick. Veronneau has played four games with the Senators this season, and 33 with their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. Veronneau is due for a new contract in July. He is set to join the Marlies as soon as he is in Toronto. On the other hand, Luchuk has spent the majority of his time in the ECHL. Although he has played three games with the Marlies this season, Luchuk has spent 45 games with the Newfoundland Growlers, amassing 19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points. Luchuk has been assigned to the Belleville Senators. As for the conditional pick, the Senators receive the pick if Veronneau plays in 10 games for the Maple Leafs in 2019–20 or 10 games for the Leafs in 2020–21 if he re-signs with the club.

The post Leafs make a series of depth moves appeared first on The Rink.

We have an Ilya Mikheyev sighting at the #leafs practice rink. He was given a 90-day recovery period after a skate blade cut an artery and tendons in his right wrist on Dec. 27.

He's working on his skating stride this morning with Barb Underhill. pic.twitter.com/GSFX2xA543

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 10, 2020

Tuesday vs. Arizona Coyotes

Jack Campbell started for the Leafs on Tuesday night, with Michael Hutchinson backing him up. Frederik Anderson, day-to-day with a shoulder injury, skated the morning of but the decision was made that he wasn’t quite ready yet. 

Leafs gave up an early goal due to blown coverage and Christian Dvorak taking advantage. They drew a penalty minutes later, yet could not get a zone entry. The club battled back to tie it up with a blast from the point by Tyson Barrie, tipped in by Zach Hyman. The score remained the same throughout the rest of the period. In the second period, both goalies were called upon to make some great saves. 

However, neither goalie broke until the last minute when Coyotes retook lead, the goal coming from Carl Soderberg. That goal marked Soderberg’s 100th NHL tally.  The Leafs tied it up early in the third, with John Tavares making a no look pass from his knees to a wide open Hyman. Hyman now has 27 points in 27 games. The rest of the third period, and the game headed to the extra frame with a score of 2-2 with the Leafs needing to kill the last portion of a penalty called on Hyman at the end of the game. Just as the penalty expired, it appeared as though the Coyotes had scored. However, the play was reviewed for goaltender interference. 

Chychrun scores but the goal is called back due to goalie interference. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/OK0YbkvwO7

— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) February 12, 2020

It was determined that there was indeed goaltender interference on the play, and the goal was called back. Soon after, Kasperi Kapanen came streaking down the wing and beat Adin Hill glove side, capping off the best game he has had in some time. 

Kasperi Kaps it off.

Take another look at the @EASPORTSNHL overtime winner! #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/9NTXShnzAj

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 12, 2020

After the game, the Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet, speaking on the goalie interference call, remarked that “it’s Toronto’s call in Toronto.” 

Rick Tocchet on goalie interference call:

"I always thought it had to be egregious … you can ask 10 people right now & I don't know what you're going to get … it's Toronto's call in Toronto, right, so it's their call so they made the call. It is what it is …" https://t.co/1Xsz7gHfSI

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 12, 2020

On Wednesday, the Leafs re-signed forward Pierre Engvall to a two year deal with an annual average value of $1.25 million. The former seventh round pick has registered 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 35 games with the Maple Leafs this season, and is currently centering the third line.  

Wednesday vs. Dallas Stars

Andersen made his return to the crease to face the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Denis Gurianov made the Leafs pay for an early turnover, beating Andersen five-hole to give the Stars the lead. Andreas Johnsson, who just returned from a broken foot, collided with Kapanen, and immediately left the game.

Johnsson collides with Kapanen pic.twitter.com/97kJg9BWP8

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 14, 2020

Radek Faksa scored on the first shot of the second period, and the Leafs followed that up by taking two consecutive two minute minor penalties, which they managed to kill off. Right off of a subsequent draw, Kyle Clifford dropped the gloves with Jamie Oleksiak. 

KYLE CLIFFORD FIGHT #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/4fAsVeBsbZ

— David Nestico  (@davidnestico200) February 14, 2020

After the fight, the Leafs seemed to gain momentum and the ice tilted in their favour. On a delayed penalty for the Stars, captain Jamie Benn had some creative measures to attempt to gain possession.

Jamie Benn lifts the net to try and poke the puck loose. Don't think that's allowed. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/LhIYBhVFFV

— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) February 14, 2020

Auston Matthews cut the Stars lead in half, and the score remained 2-1 for the rest of the period. Within the first 90 seconds of the third period, Tyler Seguin broke his 17-game goalless drought to extend the Stars lead. With just 1:19 left in the game, Hyman brought the Leafs within one. However, the effort was too little too late, and the Leafs fell to the Stars by a final score of 3-2. Post-game, Sheldon Keefe made it clear that Johnsson’s knee injury is “not going to be short-term.”

The Leafs headed into the weekend with a Saturday Sunday back-to-back, with Campbell set to start the first game and Andersen the second. 

Saturday vs. Ottawa Senators

Prior to the Battle of Ontario on Saturday night, Ottawa Senators head coach DJ Smith made headlines by announcing that ex-Leaf Nikita Zaitsev would be hard matched to Auston Matthews.

D.J. Smith on Nikita Zaitsev: "I don't know if he let Taylor Hall in more than a couple times the other night. He's feet are the best of anyone on our back end…. He's a guy you want to play against the best players. He'll be seen every shift against (Auston) Matthews tonight."

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 15, 2020

Matthews opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game, streaking down the wing and beating Marcus Hogberg. With this goal, Matthews tied David Pastrnak for the league lead in goals, and hit the 70 point mark.

Auston Matthews is the first @MapleLeafs player to reach the 70-point mark in 59 games or fewer since Mats Sundin in 1996-97 (57 GP). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/p8hiokJkiF

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 16, 2020

Despite great chances both ways, the score stayed stagnant until first intermission. 

Muzzin broke Marcus Högberg with a point shot early in the second. Timothy Liljegren recorded his first NHL point with a secondary assist on the goal. 

Minutes later, William Nylander piled on, getting a lucky bounce off of a John Tavares shot. Connor Brown got the Senators back into the game, but the second period ended 3-1. Cody Goloubef tipped a Thomas Chabot shot to cut the Leafs lead to one. At the other end, Zach Hyman was robbed by a sprawling Craig Andersen. 

Anderson with a crazy save on Zach Hyman pic.twitter.com/m7pnb7tV3F

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 16, 2020

Campbell was called to make some key saves in the last minutes before Mitch Marner sealed the game with an empty netter. The Leafs toppled the Senators by a final score of 4-2. 

Late Saturday night, the Leafs recalled Egor Korshkov and Mason Marchement from the Toronto Marlies. 

Sheldon Keefe said there are some game-time decisions for #Leafs tonight vs. Sabres, based on continuing illnesses/bruises being battled through. Brought up Korshkov and Marchment for extra bodies just in case.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 16, 2020

Sunday vs. Buffalo Sabres

Marchment and Korshkov drew into Sunday’s game, their third game in as many days. Early in the game, Rasmus Sandin blocked a shot. He immediately returned to the bench and soon after disappeared down the tunnel. Andersen stood steady in the first, bailing out the team in front of him. One save in particular was very close, but upon review it was determined that there was no goal on the play. 

Freddie stops the rebound and the shots afterwards pic.twitter.com/hJMYIUZxFL

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 17, 2020

Near the end of the period, Muzzin took a puck to the head, and immediately went down the tunnel. The score remained 0-0 after the first, with the Sabres quadrupling the Leafs’ shot totals. 

Jake Muzzin returned to start the second period. Just over a minute into the second, Johan Larsson collected Andersen’s rebound and gave the Sabres the lead. Sandin returned to the bench halfway through the period. The Leafs began applying pressure, with Carter Hutton being forced to make some great saves. 

Directly following this save, the Sabres trapped a tired Leafs group in their own zone, leading to Conor Sheary tipping the puck past Andersen. Egor Korshkov dropped to one knee to snap the puck past Hutton for his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. 

First NHL game. First NHL goal. Korshkov makes it 2-1! pic.twitter.com/SNofSOiCqb

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 17, 2020

Hyman tied the game early in the third frame, tipping a shot from Muzzin on point. 

The Sabres got a powerplay off of a questionable call on Jake Muzzin. Jack Eichel got his 33rd of the season to grab the lead back. After the powerplay goal, the momentum shifted in the favour of the Sabres, and they scored two more goals in the next two minutes. The Sabres held on, and the Leafs were downed by a final score of 5-2. 

Quick facts

• Andreas Johnsson has been put on LTIR, and is expected to miss at least eight weeks following surgery on his knee.
• The win over Ottawa was the club’s first regulation win since Jan. 29.
• Jack Campbell is 3-0-1 in his starts with the Leafs, meaning that Frederik Andersen can hopefully get more rest in the latter half of the season .
• The Leafs are four points up on the Florida Panthers, but the Panthers have two games in hand. However, the Leafs are one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers, and two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Islanders.
• Auston Matthews and David Pastrnak are tied for the league lead in goals with 42. Alexander Ovechkin sits just behind them with 40.
• As reported by James Mirtle, the Leaf’s are now on a 97.3 point pace, quite close to last year’s total of 100, which is surprising due to their dismal start.
• According to Chris Johnston, the Leafs are nearing a four-year extension for Jake Muzzin that, for CBA reasons, will likely not be finalized until after March 1.

Headlines: @reporterchris says the Leafs and Muzzin might have agreed on a 4 year contract, won't be official until after March 1st #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/XdXsmiWt3p

— David Nestico  (@davidnestico200) February 16, 2020

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

Monday vs. Florida Panthers

Toronto’s first game of the week was a Monday night battle against the Florida Panthers. Kasperi Kapanen slotted back into the lineup after a healthy scratch in the last game, due to “internal accountability”. According to Kapanen’s media the morning of, he was late to practice on Friday morning because he overslept.

The Leafs began the game strong and did not allow a shot within the first ten minutes. However, Mark Pysyk capitalized off of blown coverage in front of the Leafs’ net to give the Panthers the lead, which they held until the end of the first frame. Michael Hutchinson started the second period in relief for Frederik Andersen, who left the game with upper body injury following two severe collisions. The Leafs overcame the early first period deficit off of goals from John Tavares and William Nylander, with both goals coming in the second frame. Nylander had goals in six of the Leafs last seven games and was on an eight-game point streak.

Auston Matthews added to the lead in the third, but the Panthers came back to tie the game 3-3 with a second goal by Pysyk and a powerplay goal from Jonathan Huberdeau. The Panthers then took back the lead with a Mike Hoffman goal. Pysyk finished the hat trick with an empty netter. Despite the Leafs playing one of their best defensive games under Sheldon Keefe, every mistake ended up in the back of their net. The Panthers downed the Leafs by a final score of 5-3, grabbing the important two points against a divisional rival. As Tavares remarked after the game, “we got sloppy early in the third” and they didn’t have “good response or momentum”.

Wednesday vs. New York Rangers

The next morning, the Leafs embarked on a single game road trip to face the New York Rangers for the third time this season. Andersen was listed as day-to-day with a neck injury, and did not travel with the team. Kasimir Kaskisuo was called up from the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to back up Hutchinson. This was also the club’s first ever “mentor’s trip.”

Travis Dermott returned to the lineup, and to a struggling defence corps, after missing two games due to food poisoning. The Leafs grabbed an early lead off a goal from John Tavares. Nylander picked up an assist on the tally, extending his point streak to nine games. Filip Chytil scored just over a minute later to tie the game at one. Off of a faceoff in the Leafs’ end, Mika Zibanejad to give the Rangers the lead. Six seconds later Chris Kreider, a game time decision for the Rangers, added to the lead, which lasted until first intermission. The Leafs came out strong in the second period. Igor Shesterkin made some key saves, but a rapid fire sequence by the Marner-Matthews-Hyman line drew a cross checking call. Despite some good looks on the powerplay, Shesterkin wasn’t beaten. The leafs finally broke Shesterkin with an incredible backhand shot by Matthews.

Auston Matthews comes off the bench and backhands his 38th of the season pic.twitter.com/WWdEz6xSAM

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 6, 2020

The Rangers came right back, with Pavel Buchnevich capitalizing on the opportunity provided by a scrambling Hutchinson, to restore the two goal lead. After a lackluster third period, Matthews struck with his second of the night coming on the powerplay, and bringing the Leafs within one with just over three minutes left in the game. The effort was too little, too late, and Greg McKegg potted the empty netter. Once again, the Leafs fell 5-3. As Keefe said post-game, they “dug themselves into a hole they couldn’t get out of.”

Directly following the game, Kyle Dubas made a trade to acquire Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford from the LA Kings in exchange for Trevor Moore and two picks. More in depth on the trade here.

Cody Ceci, who left the game against the Rangers with an ankle injury, was placed on LTIR and will be re-evaluated in a month. The club also called up Timothy Liljegren, who lined up for Friday’s game alongside his former Marlies defence partner, Rasmus Sandin. Keefe informed the media that Andersen would be unavailable for the weekend games, a back-to-back where they face the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens.

Friday vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Leafs came into the game against the Anaheim Ducks with two new additions who had not yet practiced with the team, and looking to get back in the win column. The Leafs grabbed the first goal, Andreas Johnsson capitalizing off of a nice passing play. The Ducks tied it up but the Leafs came back to grab a 3-1 lead. However, they fell apart in the third. After the Ducks tied the game up at three, Jason Spezza went end to end, finishing with an incredible fake shot goal.

The angle on Jason Spezza's goal is crazy pic.twitter.com/1Q8DsGH6e2

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 8, 2020

The Ducks tied up the game with the puck being batted out of midair to beat Campbell, and the game went to overtime. On the powerplay in overtime, Mitch Marner set up John Tavares for the game winner, earning his 200th career assist. Campbell saved 26 of 30 shots, and the Leafs salvaged a blown lead in order to move back into third in the Atlantic Division.

Saturday vs. Montréal Canadiens

Against the Canadiens, Keefe made the decision to start Campbell back-to-back and Nylander was absent due to illness for the second consecutive game. This is also captain John Tavares’ 800th NHL game. The game quickly took a physical tone, notably with Jake Muzzin taking down Max Domi. 

https://twitter.com/leafsalldayy/status/1226306878164131840?s=21

The two teams traded chances, but the first frame ended with the score stuck at 0-0.

Early in the second period, Justin Holl hit iron off of a beautiful and following that, Carey Price reached back to bat the puck out the crease. Soon after, Jonathan Drouin took a slashing penalty and the Leafs power-play went to work. Artturi Lehkonen blocked a shot with his open palm off the first draw and after the next whistle went to the locker room. He would return the game in the third period. The Leafs power-play was unsuccessful and directly after, Campbell was forced to make an aggressive save. The teams continued trading chances and power-plays, with Price being the busier of the goalies, but both netminders making some excellent saves.

The Leafs did a great job at keeping possession and reducing high quality chances, holding the Canadiens to four shots through the second period. John Tavares opened the scoring just over a minute into the third, beating Price with a quick wrist shot following a deceptive passing play. That tally was Tavares’ fifth goal and seventh point in the last four games. After the goal, Montréal came out flying, and the Leafs held on with some scrambly saves by Campbell and a good defensive effort by Sandin and Liljegren. Campbell stood tall in the third period as the Habs started to apply pressure.

Toronto took a late too many men call, and Campbell was forced to make a huge save following a cross-seam pass by the Canadiens first power-play unit. The Leafs took their foot off the gas in the third, going over 14 minutes without a shot following the goal. The Canadiens broke through with just over two minutes left. A high shot on Price rang around the boards and down to the Leafs end, resulting in Marco Scandella blasting the puck through a screened Campbell. The game headed to extra time. After an impressive poke check save by Campbell on a Nick Suzuki breakaway, Matthews failed to clear the rebound, and Ilya Kovalchuk buried it. As was the theme this week, the Leafs fell short in the third period and blew yet another lead.

The Leafs emerged from a week, in which they faced serious third period issues, with three of eight possible points. Looking at recent results, the team endured the back-to-back, with their backup starting in both games, and collected three of four points.

Quick Facts

• The Leafs ended the week as it began, third in the Atlantic division. However, the Panthers are now only two point behind them with two games in hand.
• Auston Matthews tied Alex Ovechkin with a league-leading 40 goals on the season. 
• Sandin has established himself as an integral penalty killer with Ceci injured, and is beginning to prove himself to be more than capable in his own zone.
• In all, Campbell’s second game was an improvement on his first. He was much calmer in the net throughout the game and never gave up on a play. However, the Leafs defensive effort on Saturday night in the first two periods was much improved, following a post-game scrum where Keefe called out his team’s effort. 
• We unfortunately saw William Nylander’s point streak come to an “end” after he missed two games due to illness. However, the winger is expected to make his return on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. 
• Jason Spezza has been excellent throughout the week. 
• The Leafs are waiting on injury updates on Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci before making a decision on whether or not they will trade for help on defence.
• Lastly, there is no definite timeline for Andersen’s return. As of now, he is still day-to-day, although there is hope he makes his return on Tuesday night.

The post Toronto Maple Leafs: Week in review appeared first on The Rink.

This trade comes on the heels of Michael Hutchinson’s less than stellar last two games, while filling in for Frederik Andersen. Andersen left the Monday night battle against the Florida Panthers during the first intermission, following two severe collisions, and is listed as day to day with a neck injury. Andersen did not travel with the team, who faced the New York Ranger’s last night. Hutchinson has had his fair share of troubles this season. Under Mike Babcock at the beginning of the season, Hutchinson started seven games. In those games, he gave up at least four goals and in five of the games, Hutchinson gave up five or more goals. However, he appeared to be turning over a new leaf.

Going into last night, Hutchinson had won each of his last four starts, including a shut-out against the New York Islanders. He struggled in relief against the Panthers, though, which was a game the Leafs ended up losing 5-3 after surrendering a two-goal lead in the third. After an unsuccessful attempt in yet another game last night, where Hutchinson gave up two goals in six seconds and the game winner was a weak shot that slid five-hole, it was clear a change needed to be made. At around 10:55pm, the trade was announced.

Jack Campbell has been described as a butterfly-style goalie with quick reflexes and good lateral movement. A former first round draft pick of the Dallas Stars, Campbell had an excellent 2018-19 campaign, posting a .928 save percentage in 31 games for the Kings. This season, Campbell has seen his numbers drop, with a .900 on the season. Though there is speculation about whether he can return to the goalie he was in 2018-19, so far in his career, Campbell has been fairly consistent. It is reasonable to believe that he has had a slightly off year, which has not been helped by playing for a struggling LA Kings team. It is also important to note that, as Chris Johnston reported, Campbell is signed for two years following this year at $1.65 million, and can fill the requirement to expose a goalie for the Seattle expansion draft.

Jack Campbell is signed for two years beyond this one at $1.65M and can fill the #leafs requirement to expose a goaltender in the June 2021 Seattle expansion draft.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 6, 2020

The other acquisition in the deal was forward Kyle Clifford, who is on the last year of a five-year deal which had an annual cap hit of $1.6 million. The Kings retained 50% of his salary in the transaction. While Clifford brings so-called “grit” to the team, he is not a liability otherwise.

I see you Kyle Clifford pic.twitter.com/uEN8bWb6qx

— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) February 6, 2020

Trevor Moore is a token to the Leafs development program. He signed with the club as an undrafted 21-year-old, and in a short period of time rose from an AHL fourth-liner, to an AHL All-Star to a regular in the NHL lineup. However, when Moore was injured, it became clear that other ex-Marlies, particularly Pierre Engvall, could slot into his position and make an impact. Due to that and the fact that said players could fill the gap at centre with Kerfoot playing the wing, Moore became expendable.

The conditions on the 2021 pick are as follows. The third becomes a second if either Clifford re-signs with the Leafs or if Campbell wins six regular season games and the Leafs qualify for the playoffs.

While Campbell is clearly not a long-term solution if Andersen is out for a substantial period of time, hopefully he can be an effective “band-aid” and eventually, an effective backup who can take part of the load off of Andersen’s shoulders.

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