It felt like a playoff game out there, not much room, a guy right in your face every time you touched the puck.”Ĭoach Mike Babcock gave a great pre-game analysis of the Hawks’ basic strengths in structure, but his club also paid close attention to detail in order not to be over-run in their zone.
We have to make sure we’re getting points and holding on to our spot. “We’ve been able to rise to the challenge in some of these marquee games. “A huge point for us,” said winger James van Riemsdyk, who was snuffed on an overtime breakaway by Corey Crawford. The Leafs now have points in 10 of their past 13 games and for the second time this year took Chicago to an extra period. The Jonathan Toews’ set-up on the opening goal by John Hayden was the only point he or Patrick Kane had, another small victory for Toronto. “I thought we did a pretty good job holding each other accountable tonight,” said Matthews.įrederik Andersen, wearing a themed mask for the occasion with Pat Quinn and King Clancy on it, made 38 saves before Ryan Hartman ended it 16.9 seconds away from a shootout. Pats’ colours from the 1920s paid off for Auston Matthews, who ended a seven-game points skid with a first-period goal. They hung on to eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race, one ahead of the Islanders, stretching their lead to two on Tampa Bay. On a green-and-white Saturday night, given over to the team and the city’s Irish heritage, Toronto had some puck luck, but some fight as well, eventually settling for a point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Western Conference leading Chicago Blackhawks. The Montreal Canadiens have their home rink ‘ghosts’, but the Maple Leafs must have some mischievous leprechauns hanging about from their St.