Saturday night, they did not fail in the task.
In fact, the representatives of the Queen City did not just win. They gave the Canadian a correction.
This one is for him, obviously. He’s one of us. He’s our captain. When a big chunk of your team falls in battle like this everyone has to answer the call and I think we’ve all done a good job.
, Auston Matthews told Sportsnet after the game.
Each of the four trios really worked
, he added during his post-match press briefing, and he’s not wrong. The tally sheet gives the correct measure of this contribution. A member of each Leafs offensive unit found the back of the net.
Jason Spezza was the first to stand out. The veteran beat goaltender Carey Price with a good shot from the enclave minutes after Jesperi Kotkaniemi started the ball rolling for the Canadiens.
The only way for us to see John again [Tavares] is winning hockey games so we want to do our best for him. We will try to win as many games as possible to get him back in the formation
, said the 37-year-old athlete, who does great service despite his limited playing time.
Jason Spezza scored his first playoff goal on Saturday since May 3, 2019.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette
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The Maple Leafs really took off in the second period. Matthews started the team with his first goal of the playoffs. The American pushed a throwback return from Justin Holl behind Price.
In the end, the American, winner of the Maurice-Richard trophy awarded to the top scorer of the last season in the LIFENational Hockey League, had his best playoff game since his own comeback last summer against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He ended the game with one goal, two assists, four shots on goal and as many hits, in addition to three turnovers he caused. Flawless performance.
Toronto kept the pressure on after Matthews’ goal, helped by four consecutive penalties called against the Canadiens. Rasmus Sandin took advantage of one of those digital advantages to score the first goal of his playoff career.
At the sound of the siren, Sheldon Keefe’s men had 20 shots in the second period alone. Montreal only shot six in those same 20 minutes.
With just over 11 minutes to go, the CH was once again penalized. William Nylander is the one who made the Canadian pay for the benefit of a man. Asked about the work of the referees, the Habs head coach, Dominique Ducharme, did not intend to laugh after the match.
Alex Kerfoot is the one who completed the mark in an empty net. He thus confirmed the Maple Leafs’ first victory at the expense of the Canadian in the playoffs since 1967. Toronto had lost its last nine postseason duels against the Habs.
Despite the loss of their captain, it therefore seems that the representatives of the Queen City are confident. Doubts and questionings could have migrated into the opposing locker room. The Canadian will notably have to find solutions to score in numerical equality.
The Maple Leafs and the Habs meet in Montreal on Monday and Tuesday. Game 5 of the series is Thursday in Toronto.
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