On Monday night in Toronto, the Maple Leafs fell behind 2-0 in the first period to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets.
Cam Atkinson and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored for the Jackets but that was all Columbus would generate as the Leafs rallied with four goals for a 4-2 victory.
“We had success in the first period when we put it down low and worked their defensemen,” Columbus defenseman Seth Jones said. “We were behind the net all first period and were creating chances playing physical. Most of the second when they started gaining momentum, we were turning it over. We kind of played into their hands a little bit. They like quick transition hockey and not a lot of physical play.”
Frederik Andersen rebounded after first period to help Leafs to 4-2 win over Columbus – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Zach Hyman struck twice n the win including the game-winner.
“We just allowed them to get to their game,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “In the first period we played our game and didn’t allow them to do much and just slowly they started to play that high-skilled game where they want to make it a track meet, and we can’t get caught in that.”
Tyler Ennis and John Tavares each had single markers in the win.
“We were skating in mud there and weren’t going very good but I liked it,” Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said. “It’s the sign of a good team when you have good goaltending and you’re able to get yourself gathered when you have no legs and kind of get playing and stick with it and find a way to win.”
Frederik Andersen made 37 saves to get the win.
“Freddie shut the door after that first period,” Hyman said. “We kind of rallied behind him and all four lines contributed. It was a big team win.”
The Leafs improved to 15-6-0.
“Of course, we reset in the first intermission there,” Andersen said. “None of us were too happy with our effort in both ends. We know we could play a lot better and obviously we came out in the second and third and proved it.”
Columbus dropped to 12-7-2.
[WATCH: All Blue Jackets vs. Maple Leafs highlights]
Sergei Bobrovsky made 22saves in the loss.
“It’s disappointing because we’ve done a lot of good things and tonight we did some good things, but some errors that a team like the Maple Leafs is going to pounce on, that was the difference in the game. I thought we played well but just not well enough to win,” Foligno said after the loss.
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