In Montreal, the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs demonstrated an inability to make anything of substance happen on Wednesday night. As a result, the Leafs lost 4-3 to the Canadiens on a late goal from Josh Anderson, who scored with 19 seconds left on the game clock for the winning strike.
“I thought our guys hung [Murray] out to dry,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “It’s one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL on the rush. Ever since their coaching change last year, they have established themselves as one of the most dangerous teams on the rush. Caufield, Anderson … these guys are some of the most dangerous shooters there are off of transition, and we talked about that this morning. We talked about it before the game and fed right into it.”
Jake Allen made 29 saves in the Canadiens’ win.
“There’s no perfect game; it’s about finding ways in this league, and I thought the guys fought tonight and found a way,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. “I think it gives us some confidence and something to build off.”
The Maple Leafs had trailed the Habs, 3-2, late in the third period until William Nylander struck to tie the game, 3-3.
His goal came with 100 seconds left in the third period, and 40 seconds after Sean Monahan had given the Canadiens a 3-2 lead.
“I just tried to get in an open area, and I think the puck went off of ‘Andy’s’ foot, and I had a Grade A look,” Monahan said. “Those are the ones you dream of.”
Cole Caufield struck for a double for the Canadiens.
“I think our coaching staff has done a good job of keeping us level-headed, whether we score or not,” Caufield said. “So, I liked where our composure was at, and we got it right back.”
Michael Bunting put the Leafs up, 1-0, in the first period.
Caufield scored his two goals in the middle frame, wrapped around a goal from Toronto’s Denis Malgin .
Neither team scored on the two power play chances they each had.
“It was a tough one to swallow in the last few minutes,” the Leafs’ John Tavares said. “We give one up, we tie it, we give one up again. It’s disappointing. We have to learn from it quick, get back in front of ‘Leafs Nation’ tomorrow and feed off our fans and bounce back.”
Matt Murray made 19 saves in the Toronto loss.
“It takes a couple bounces, it ends up right on their tape in the slot,” Murray said of Anderson’s goal. “I didn’t see the release, and the guy put it post-and-in, so just a bit of bad luck there.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.