Battle of the Blueline: Breaking Down the Maple Leafs vs. Predators Overtime Stalemate

The Toronto Maple Leafs Wrap Up Road Trip with Overtime Loss to Nashville

With Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators, the Toronto Maple Leafs have concluded their five-game road trip with a commendable record of 3-1-1, earning seven out of a possible 10 points. While this outcome may seem positive, the manner in which they lost the eighth point is a bitter pill to swallow. Despite numerous shots and scoring opportunities, William Nylander and Mark Giordano were the only players able to find the back of the net for the Leafs. Predators‘ goaltender Juuse Saros played a significant role in keeping Nashville in the game. However, it is the Leafs’ own shortcomings that ultimately led to their defeat.

Three Stars

1. Mark Giordano: The oldest player in the league stepped up in a big way after injuries to Jake McCabe and Timothy Liljegren. Though not flawless, Giordano showed resilience and made key defensive plays throughout the game. Additionally, he became the third 40-year-old Leafs defenseman to score a goal this season.
2. Auston Matthews: Matthews showcased his prowess on the penalty kill, consistently putting pressure on the Predators and creating scoring opportunities. His speed and determination were noticeable, forcing Saros to make challenging saves.
3. William Nylander: Nylander was responsible for the Leafs’ only goal on the power play, extending his point streak to eight games. His offensive contributions have been crucial for the team this season.

Another Defenceman Injured

During the second period, Timothy Liljegren suffered an injury after a hit from Yakov Trenin. The extent of Liljegren’s injury will be assessed once the team returns to Toronto. In the meantime, it is expected that the Leafs will call up a player from their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to fill the void on the blue line.

‘NO-vertime’

Overtime lasted a brief 2 minutes and 13 seconds, and unfortunately, it was the Predators who capitalized on the opportunity. After losing the opening faceoff, the Leafs barely touched the puck before Nashville scored the game-winning goal. It was a disappointing end to a game that saw the Leafs struggle with penalties throughout.

Special Teams Make the Difference

The Leafs had four power-play chances, compared to the Predators‘ five. While the success rate between the two teams was similar, the timing of goals was crucial. Both of Ryan O’Reilly’s goals for Nashville tied the game and kept them in contention. On the other hand, the Leafs failed to score on their subsequent power-play opportunities, leading to frustration and missed opportunities to put the game away.

The Beautiful Transitional Game

Despite facing numerous shots from the Predators, the Leafs did a commendable job in the neutral zone, disrupting Nashville’s passes and clearing attempts. They were efficient in transitioning from defense to offense and constantly put pressure on the Predators‘ defense. However, turnovers proved to be the Achilles’ heel for the Leafs, as Nashville capitalized on mistakes to generate scoring chances.

Building Blocks for Samsonov

Goaltender Ilya Samsonov had a mixed performance in the game. While he made timely saves to keep the game tied, there were also instances where he could have done better. The Leafs’ defensive lapses left Samsonov vulnerable, and he was unable to stop all of Nashville’s goals. Although it remains uncertain if Samsonov will start in the next game, his performance on Saturday was a step in the right direction.

Final Grade: B

As the road trip comes to an end, the Leafs can reflect on both positives and areas for improvement. Line changes, penalties, and the potential absence of Liljegren pose challenges that need to be addressed. The blue line will shoulder a heavier workload, and adjustments to the special teams are required. While the top six forwards have been dominant offensively, Saturday’s game showcased the potential of the Leafs’ bottom six. Players like Noah Gregor and David Kämpf made notable contributions and added depth to the team. Additionally, Max Domi has been creating scoring opportunities but has yet to find the back of the net. Looking ahead, the Leafs will face the Los Angeles Kings in a Halloween showdown at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.