Instant Reaction: Hildeby’s sensational effort not enough, Leafs fall 2-1 to Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens finally exorcised their demons in Toronto, defeating the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout.
Dennis Hildeby was the story on Saturday night, as he turned away 33 of 34 shots. With Joseph Woll joining Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve, the crease is Hildeby’s for the taking. He showed off his athleticism, lateral quickness, and a quick glove on multiple occasions against the Canadiens. Unfortunately in the shootout, Cole Caufield and Alex Texier made Hildeby look silly, and only Auston Matthews was able to light the lamp for the Maple Leafs.
Caufield opened the scoring in the second period on a back-door feed on the power play, as Simon Benoit was late to close a gap. Hildeby did everything he could to keep the Maple Leafs in this game, and looks like he’s going to be more than capable to carry the load while the starting tandem recovers from injury.
Scott Laughton is on fire. The two-way centre tied the game shorthanded half way through the third period. Laughton unleashed a booming slap shot on a breakaway, one that likely made Mats Sundin proud.
LAUGHTON TIES IT UP!!!!!!
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL
It was Laughton’s third straight game with a goal, and he’s starting to look like his former self. With a solid third line forming, if Laughton can continue to elevate his game on Toronto’s fourth line, it will do wonders for the Leafs’ bottom six.It was the fourth game in a row for the same four forward lines for the Maple Leafs, which is kind of crazy to think considering it’s early December. It’s nice to see there’s some identity forming, and the chemistry continues to build with the newfound consistency, and longer look from the coaching staff. It’s also worth noting Nick Robertson played just 6:58, and could potentially be the next forward swapped out.
Something needs to give with the Maple Leafs’ power play, as once again it was a quiet night with the man advantage, going 0-for-3. Oliver Ekman-Larsson ran the point, and a big chunk of the play was sifting through Easton Cowan, but unfortunately for the Leafs, a lot of permitter play and not enough of a simple approach, as they couldn’t get one past Canadiens’ goaltender Jakub Dobes.
It just seemed like the Leafs were a little ‘off’ against Montreal, who snapped an 11-game losing streak in Toronto. The Leafs constantly missed the net when they’d finally get a good look, including multiple in overtime, pucks frequently bounced off sticks, it was frustrating to say the very least. Regardless, not every game is going to be pretty and the team showed some character grinding out a point against the Habs.
The Maple Leafs now turn their attention to the Atlantic Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning, who they host on Monday night. Look for the Leafs to do a better job of getting pucks on net, early and often against Tampa.
PRESENTED BY VIVID SEATS