Maple Leafs subs and stars gang up on Blue Jackets
Article content
The Maple Leafs got the depth charge they desired on Saturday and a whole lot more as they kept their divisional lead.
In place of fourth-line centre/penalty killer David Kampf, Nick Robertson re-entered the lineup and started Toronto’s 5-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets with a two-goal outing. Philippe Myers stepped up on the blueline as well in Jake McCabe’s absence.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Maple Leafs subs and stars gang up on Blue Jackets Back to video
Meanwhile, coach Craig Berube’s decision to use netminder Anthony Stolarz a second straight game paid off with 27 stops, his fifth straight victory and Toronto’s 25th this season at Scotiabank Arena.
The next two matches, back-to- back on the road against closest pursuers Tampa Bay and Florida, will be vital if the Leafs can get to 100 points and more to keep top spot for the four games remaining after.
William Nylander’s 43rd and 44th goals of the season in the third period dashed any comeback attempt by the Jackets, whose wild-card playoff hopes took another hit. Auston Matthews added one later, his 30th.
Yet the night began with the precise scenario the Leafs spoke of, preventing the Jackets’ top defenceman Zach Werenski getting deep in their zone — all the way behind the net — and feeding Kirill Marchenko in front. But Stolarz stopped him and 16 through the first half of the game.
The lone goal until then was a gaffe that nearly duplicated Joseph Woll’s clearing error in San Jose last month. Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins hit Werenski trying to fire the puck up ice and Robertson’s goal was the reward after three games in the stands.
The first period also saw Matthew Knies attempt “The Michigan” while sweeping around the Columbus net, but couldn’t maintain control on the cradle move. He started the second with a partial breakaway on Merzlikins, but was turned aside, then intercepted a Columbus clear at the top of the slot that led to a scoring chance.
Chris Tanev’s first shot block of the game was his 177th, setting a new single-season Leafs record set by Carl Gunnarsson more than a decade ago, though only in the era in which the NHL recorded the stat. Nylander’s fourth shot of the night made him the eighth Leaf to reach 2,000.
Werenski was unlucky as well on Robertson’s second goal in the middle frame, foiled on a breakout that became a 2-on-1. Robertson waited for Merzlikins to open the five-hole.
Toronto’s two top lines took care of business in the third, Nylander getting two in short order, the second at 4-on-4 after Knies and Dante Fabbro tussled in the Columbus crease.
As the Leafs and Jackets grappled, the out-of-town scoreboard had some good news for the Leafs, a 3-0 win by Ottawa over Florida.
X: @sunhornby
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.