Maple Leafs score six goals in dominating victory over Edmonton Oilers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs led 5-0 before the Edmonton Oilers rallied late in the third period. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late, as the Leafs scored a late goal to end the comeback and defeat the Oilers 6-3.
Toronto’s opening goal was absolutely avoidable, as Darnell Nurse lost his man, Bobby McMann, leaving him alone in front of the net. The goal gave the Leafs a 1-0 advantage. There are goals that can deflate a club, and this is one of them, as Edmonton controlled the speed of play throughout the first four minutes.
EDM TOR G68. March 23rd, 2024. Bobby McMann scored a goal. 0-1.: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/LJ6I8oaiMg
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia), March 23, 2024
Nurse received a tripping penalty only seconds after Edmonton’s power play expired. With around 45 seconds left in the kill, the Leafs took a shot from the point, and William Nylander got a stick and a foot on it to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. It is worth noting that Evander Kane tripped a player on the following shift, giving the Leafs even more momentum.
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. William Nylander goal. 0-2. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/OZe8DXahdf
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 23, 2024
The Oilers struggled to get the ball inside the Leafs zone, and Toronto eventually forced a turnover. Auston Matthews made a fantastic play to get around Evan Bouchard and found Max Domi, who generously passed it to Pontus Holmberg for the simplest goal of his life.
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. Pontus Holmberg goal. 0-3. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/WIu1EhklK0
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 24, 2024
Holmberg also scored the Leafs’ fourth goal of the game, when Adam Henrique had a chance to touch the ball for an offside. He didn’t, and the Leafs took advantage of a 3-on-1 situation to score easily.
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. Pontus Holmberg goal. 0-4. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/kVXopXMKoD
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 24, 2024
During the Leafs’ rush, Nylander delivered a great pass across to McMann, who scored his second of the game. Skinner was removed from the game after surrendering five goals on 23 shots. It’s difficult to fault him for any of these goals, however it would be good if he made a key save.
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. Bobby McMann goal. 0-5. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/OuZ7kdDZiB
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 24, 2024
The Oilers found some life in the third period when they were handed a power play. Hyman scored his 49th goal this season. It was Hyman’s regular netfront goal, and he is now just one goal shy of 50. Who would have thought?
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. Zach Hyman goal. 1-5. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/9bvNKMSwgp
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 24, 2024
Four minutes later, Corey Perry scored his sixth Oiler goal with a net-front shot. Great signing, and it will be entertaining to see him in the playoffs.
With just over four minutes left, the Oilers withdrew their goalkeeper (now Calvin Pickard), and it appeared that they would be able to come close. This is because Leon Draisaitl snuck it underneath Ilya Samsonov, who sustained an injury on the play. Unfortunately, the comeback was unsuccessful, as Auston Matthews scored his 58th goal of the season.
EDM TOR G68. March 23, 2024. Leon Draisaitl goal. 3-5. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/xj0zhCyQtk
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) March 24, 2024
INSTANT REACTION.
Things worth mentioning…
Evander Kane had a tough game, even with an assist. During Edmonton’s first power play, Kane was tripped, but there was no call. It certainly affected him, as he appears uninspired for the remainder of the power play. After Toronto went up 2-0, Kane took a very terrible tripping penalty, which Toronto did not convert. During the second interval, cameras saw Kane and Draisaitl arguing, which is not a good sign.
sportsnet catches evander kane and leon draisaitl going at it on the bench. pic.twitter.com/7qzMUZZKFl
— zach (@zjlaing) March 24, 2024
