In Anaheim, the Ducks could not hold a 1-0 lead in the third period, and surrendered two goals to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 2-1 loss in extra time on Wednesday night.
Auston Matthews hit for his 30th of the season, in the extra session to give the Maple Leafs the win
“He’s found another level here in the last month or so,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He’s been great for us. I think we’ve been playing a much better team game here of late, and we really like to see that. That’s important, but within the team game, you need difference-makers to step up and do their thing, and certainly Auston’s done that.”
Martin Jones made 27 saves in the win.
The Maple Leafs improved to 19-10-7.
Anaheim dropped to 13-23-1.
“Whatever energy they build 5-on-5, they amplify with the power play,” Anaheim coach Greg Cronin said. “Dostal kept us in there, and it’s a shame he couldn’t get the win.”
After a scoreless first period, Frank Vatrano hit for a shorthanded goal at 11:41 of the middle frame to give the Ducks a 1-0 lead..
John Tavares forced the extra session when he scored off the power play at 14:17 of the third period.
“We probably could have done a little better job of just trying to make it difficult on [Dostal] in seeing things and trying to create second and third opportunities, but just a good job of staying with it and getting rewarded at the end,” Tavares said.
Lukas Dostal was the star of the game, making 55 saves in the loss.
“Obviously, it’s my job, right?” Dostal said. “The game started and I had a couple of chances, and obviously I got a little lucky too they didn’t score. That helps you, too, that you can build up some confidence and feel good in the net.
“… You’ve got to go by the pace. It’s your job if it’s a 20-shot or 40-shot, at the end of the day I’m just trying to make sure I try to stop every single puck. That’s my job. I don’t really worry about how many shots it is.”
He made 18 saves in the first period.
“When he’s on his game, he’s an elite goalie,” Cronin said. “He’s terrific. He’s quick. When he’s out, he’s attacking, he’s an aggressive goalie, he’s hard to beat. He’s not one of the 6-foot-5 guys; he’s a smaller guy, but he’s really quick and when he gets out and challenges, he’s hard to beat.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.