Morgan Rielly was none too happy to see his Toronto Maple Leafs blow a 2-1 lead and then go on to get shelled by a score of 6-3 against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers took it to the Leafs, who barely showed up for the third period at all, allowing 4 goals and ending their team point streak, which had reached 6 games. Morgan Rielly was among those who spoke out following the loss, and he had some choice words for his team.
“I think they go hand in hand and I think it’s across the board. You go out to the third, you just have to play better than that if you’re going to win in this league.”
The Leafs really hung rookie goaltender Dennis Hildeby out to dry in this one, with the 6’7″ goaltender finally getting the hook in the 3rd period after allowing 6 goals in all. Fellow rookie Artur Akhtyamov made 5 saves in relief and did not surrender a goal.
Rielly was a -3 on the night in 21:25 of ice time, firing 3 pucks on net and blocking one shot. It wasn’t a good showing from the team’s longest-tenured player, and Rielly knew it. It was apparent with how disgusted he appeared with not only his team’s performance, but with his own, after the game.
The Leafs have done well to gain some ground in the Atlantic Division before Saturday, but a loss now has them sitting 4 points back of a Wild Card spot. It’s still early, but history doesn’t favour teams who are on the outside looking in around Christmas time, so the Leafs are going to have to get back on track — and fast.
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Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly cooks his team after embarrassing loss to Oilers
Do you think Morgan Rielly was the worst Leafs defenseman on Saturday night?