Morgan Rielly’s extra time heroics lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, extending the group’s profitable streak to 4 video games. Rielly, typically criticized for inconsistent play this season, transformed a pinpoint cross from Auston Matthews midway by means of the additional body for his fifth aim—and his first in two months. Matthew Knies and Oliver Ekman-Larsson additionally scored for the Maple Leafs, who proceed to steer the Atlantic Division and sit only one level behind the Washington Capitals for the highest spot within the Japanese Convention. Goaltender Dennis Hildeby, in his fourth profession NHL begin, turned away 30 pictures in a robust efficiency.
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The sport wasn’t with out drama. Jake McCabe left within the first interval following a struggle with Flyers enforcer Garnet Hathaway. McCabe, defending Hildeby after his collision with Hathaway within the crease, absorbed a strong punch and fell awkwardly on the again of his head. He was completely out of it for a short while and left the sport with an upper-body damage.
Merchandise One: Jake McCabe Injured Towards Philadelphia
McCabe’s willingness to return to the help of his teammates got here at a value. The rugged defenceman didn’t return for the rest of the sport, and if what we noticed on the ice indicated his state, he’ll be out with a concussion for the subsequent whereas. He logged 7:12 of ice time, registered seven penalty minutes, and delivered one hit earlier than exiting.
McCabe is taken into account day-to-day forward of Tuesday’s rematch in opposition to the Flyers. However that appears optimistic primarily based on what all of us noticed occur on the ice. His absence leaves an enormous gap on the blue line, notably given his bodily model and significance to the group’s defensive corps.
Merchandise Two: Morgan Rielly From Criticism to Heroics
Rielly got here by means of exactly on the proper time to attain the extra time game-winner. The aim capped off a gritty group efficiency in opposition to a rested Flyers group. It additionally offered a much-needed confidence enhance to Rielly, who’s been underneath fixed scrutiny for inconsistent play this season.
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This season hasn’t been straightforward for Rielly. His defensive struggles have been a frequent speaking level amongst followers and analysts. Maybe Rielly silenced a few of his critics by delivering within the clutch. The extra time winner was so clean that it reminded everybody of Rielly’s ability set and skill to make a distinction in important conditions.
Questions on Rielly’s general recreation will linger regardless of final evening’s heroics. Can Rielly’s defensive play match the affect he confirmed offensively? Whereas the extra time aim was a spotlight of the sport, it additionally challenges Rielly to spherical out his recreation because the Maple Leafs gear up for a playoff push.
Merchandise Three: Matthew Knies Scores Once more
Knies scored one in every of Toronto’s two regulation objectives within the 3-2 extra time win. Whereas his efficiency didn’t match the explosive three-goal, two-assist outing the evening earlier than, he appears to be rising extra chemistry within the lineup alongside Auston Matthews. His bodily presence was additionally evident, as he delivered 5 hits.
The 22-year-old ahead now has 15 objectives this season—matching his complete from 80 video games final season. The maths is straightforward. Since final evening was his thirty ninth recreation of the season, he’s matched his complete in lower than half the appearances. Including his 10 assists and a plus-2 ranking, Knies is proving to be a dependable contributor for the group. His consolation with Matthews and Mitch Marner means that his manufacturing might stay regular (or development upwards) because the season progresses.
Merchandise 4: Dennis Hildeby’s Beginning to Look Extra Stable
Hildeby made 30 saves in his fourth NHL begin and confirmed not one of the nerves he displayed in his earlier video games. Whereas he might need needed the primary aim again, the towering Swedish goalie delivered a gentle efficiency. On the evening, he stopped 30 of 32 pictures and made clutch saves to maintain the sport inside attain. Regardless of conceding objectives to Tyson Foerster and Scott Laughton, Hildeby held the fort by means of regulation and extra time to make sure Toronto’s fourth straight win.
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The win marks Hildeby’s third win in 4 NHL outings this season, as he continues to share backup duties with Matt Murray in Joseph Woll’s absence. His robust play provides depth to the Maple Leafs’ goalie rotation, and he’ll possible cut up time between the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL) to remain sharp. With no back-to-back video games on the quick schedule, he’ll possible get some motion within the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
The group’s subsequent 5 video games might be a difficult mixture of away and residential matchups—the Maple Leafs first journey to Philadelphia to play the Flyers in a rematch of final evening’s recreation. On Thursday, they journey south to play a difficult street recreation in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. They then return to Toronto for 3 straight house video games.
Can the group capitalize on the home-ice benefit? They face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday after which meet the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Lastly, they’ll meet their outdated coach, Sheldon Keefe, and his New Jersey Devils on Thursday, Jan. 16. Though the schedule doesn’t get simpler, the video games are unfold out a bit. That ought to assist.
