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In their second game against the top team in the league, the Maple Leafs managed a much stronger performance, but were let down in goal.

After a long shot from the neutral zone by Derek Stepan went past Jonathan Bernier, the Leafs fought back to level the score twice. They looked set for at least a point until Mats Zuccarello, who scored a hat trick in the last game, potted a late winner.

Toronto’s possession numbers were pretty much even until the third period, when their offense began to struggle. We can see the same pattern in their chances, as they were clearly ahead through two periods, only to see the attack dry up in the final frame. The Leafs also managed to win the neutral zone battle, while neither side managed many controlled entries.

TeamChances1st2nd3rdESESCloseESCh%NZEnt%ContEntOppContEnt
Tor19892181852.9%51.5%31.0%32.9%
Nyr17755161547.1%48.5%--

The Leafs finished the second period on a roll, getting nine of the last ten chances. That time included Stepan’s goal, which blunted the momentum Toronto was carrying in this period, and meant that they only managed to salvage a late tie. Phaneuf’s tying goal was also not a scoring chance, coming from well out, and came despite the fact Toronto generated very little in the third period.

Leafs Player Data

PlayerESChFESChAESCh%ESTOIZS%NZ%ContEntOppContEnt
Parenteau7463.6%14:1457.1%54.5%20.8%25.0%
Bozak7463.6%13:2457.1%51.2%23.8%35.0%
Froese5362.5%14:0914.3%62.0%22.6%36.8%
Matthias6460.0%13:3257.1%50.0%18.2%40.9%
Van Riemsdyk5455.6%15:2481.8%38.0%57.9%29.0%
Kadri5550.0%16:2876.9%40.4%47.8%23.5%
Lupul5550.0%12:3520.0%58.1%24.0%38.9%
Winnik5550.0%10:5622.2%62.5%24.0%46.7%
Komarov5550.0%14:4981.8%37.3%57.9%25.0%
Holland1233.3%08:2537.5%61.3%36.8%50.0%
Grabner1233.3%08:1233.3%57.7%26.7%36.4%
Spaling2528.6%10:0137.5%60.0%22.2%33.3%
Gardiner7277.8%17:3358.8%52.7%31.0%23.1%
Phaneuf7370.0%17:5257.1%56.4%19.4%25.0%
Harrington3260.0%08:4160.0%44.4%25.0%40.0%
Polak7653.8%15:2250.0%39.1%38.9%42.9%
Rielly6940.0%19:4542.1%55.3%33.3%32.4%
Hunwick61037.5%21:3729.4%53.2%35.7%35.1%

The top three lines all managed to generate chances, but the best of the units was Tyler Bozak with Shawn Matthias and P.A. Parenteau. They particularly dominated the Stepan line, putting up excellent possession numbers.

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Nazem Kadri’s line was even in chances, but did stand out in one area, as the only Leaf line that consistently managed to enter the Ranger zone with control. It didn’t end up helping them a whole lot, but they were effective in the most ES ice time of the forwards. Joffrey Lupul’s trio were also good, holding the Zuccarello/Nash line to even in possession, and finishing even in chances as well.

After a couple of tough games, Dion Phaneuf and Jake Gardiner played well, and finished as the top two Leafs in terms of chance differential, along with playing a lot of minutes.

Morgan Rielly and Matt Hunwick again got the toughest assignment, facing mostly the Nash line and having the hardest zone starts on the blue line, and were the only two defencemen to finish below even in chances, including being on for that heartbreaking winning goal.

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