Jake Muzzin put the Maple Leafs on the board with a shorthanded goal at 5:03 of the second period. Muzzin’s goal is the Maple Leafs’ first shorthanded goal of the season and the first shorthanded goal of his career. He has two goals and 12 assists in 27 games played this season.
William Nylander scored the second Toronto goal of the game at 7:12 of the second period. Nylander has goals (2) in two consecutive games and points (2-1-3) in three consecutive games. He has 16 points (7-9-16) in 16 games on home ice this season. He has registered four points (2-2-4) in four games against the Jets in 2020-21.
Mitch Marner recorded the lone assist on Muzzin’s shorthanded goal. Marner has assists (3) and points (1-3-4) in three consecutive games. He has registered 22 points (7-15-22) in 16 games on home ice this season. He has five career shorthanded points (1-4-5).
Joe Thornton registered the primary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Thornton has recorded seven points (2-5-7) in nine games on home ice this season. He has 12 points (3-9-12) in 17 games played in 2020-21. Thornton is playing in his 1,653rd career NHL game, which moves him past Mark Recchi for sole possession of sixth on the NHL’s all-time games played register.
Justin Holl picked up the secondary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Holl has two assists over his last four games played. He has registered six of his nine assists on home ice this season. In four games against the Jets in 2020-21, he has recorded three assists.
The Maple Leafs were 2-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-3 on the power play tonight.
Toronto’s line of Zach Hyman, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews started 30% of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, the lowest mark among Toronto skaters.
TJ Brodie was on the ice for a team-high 16 shot attempts for at 5-on-5. Brodie finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 48.5% (16 for, 17 against).
John Tavares won 78% (7 won, 2 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Sunday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Senators (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Friday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames (Sportsnet Ontario, FAN 590)
Saturday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Senators (TSN4, FAN 590)
Saturday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. vs. Edmonton Oilers (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Stats reflect official NHL stats at the time of distribution. Please consult official NHL game sheets (links above) to confirm no statistical changes were made.
INJURY REPORT OG Anunoby (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Malachi Flynn (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Patrick McCaw (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Pascal Siakam (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Fred VanVleet (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors begin a three-game road trip (Mar. 13-17) Saturday night against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. It will mark the third and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Raptors won consecutive home games vs. Charlotte in January. Chris Boucher scored 20+ points in the pair of victories, averaging a team-high 22.5 points. With a win Saturday, Toronto would sweep the season series with the Hornets for the second time in the last four seasons. • Chris Boucher scored 29 points, one shy of his career high, Thursday vs. Atlanta. Boucher had a career-high 30 points (11-15 FG, 5-9 3PT, 3-4 FT) in in the final game before the All-Star break Mar. 4 at Boston. He is averaging 29.5 points and shooting 70 percent (21-30) from the field, including .538 (7-13) from beyond the arc, over the last two games. Boucher (63 3PT, 71 BLK) is the only player in the NBA with 60+three-point field goals and 60+ blocks this season. • Norman Powell has scored 30+ points four times in the last eight games (Feb. 19 – Mar. 11); something he did four times in his first 334 NBA games. Powell has started his last 21 games played (Jan. 22 – Mar. 11), averaging a team-high 23.6 points and shooting .465 (67-144) from beyond the arc during this stretch. • Toronto has dropped a season high-tying three straight games (Mar. 3-11). The Raptors have allowed 121+ points in all three losses, with opponents averaging 127.3 points and shooting .518 from the floor. • Stanley Johnson has scored in double figures in consecutive games (Mar. 4-11), including a season-high 14 points Mar. 4 at Boston. Johnson has scored 10+ points in back-to-back games for the first time since Mar. 20-24, 2019 when he was with New Orleans. • The Raptors will be without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top six scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw for the fourth straight game Saturday at Charlotte because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Siakam also missed Toronto’s game Feb. 26 against Houston. Siakam (20.1), VanVleet (20.1) and Anunoby (13.8) have combined to average 54.0 points this season. Head Coach Nick Nurse returned to the bench Thursday against the Hawks after also missing the previous three games because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. • Kyle Lowry passed Chris Bosh (10,275) for second on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list Thursday vs. Atlanta. DeMar DeRozan is the franchise leader with 13,296 career points. Lowry is Toronto’s all-time leader in assists (4,155), steals (862), three-point field goals (1,473) and wins (361), ranks second in games played (585) and third in rebounds (2,873). • Vinik Sports Group and the Raptors have announced they will welcome a limited number of fans, with a capacity of 3,800, back to Amalie Arena for games starting on March 19 when Toronto hosts Utah.
HORNETS NOTES
FEARLESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER: Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier has been stellar in the fourth quarter and in clutch moments for the Hornets as he had 12 points in the fourth quarter, which were 12 of the Hornets last 15 points with just over three and a half minutes left in regulation vs. Detroit on Mar. 11. Rozier is averaging 3.4 points per game in 14 games played in clutch situations and averaging 0.6 3s per game in those instances, which is tied for fourth among all player’s who have played in approximately 70% of their team’s qualified clutch games. Rozier’s offensive rating in crunch time situations is 156.0 points per 100 possessions, which is second in the NBA among qualified players. He had his second 20-point fourth quarter with 20 points vs. Golden State on Feb. 20, including seven in the final minute of the fourth. Rozier also had 21 points in the fourth quarter in the season opener at Cleveland on Dec. 23, which is tied for the fifth most in the fourth quarter in the NBA this season as he is the only player in the NBA this season with multiple 20-point fourth quarters. Rozier is one of seven players this season with 15+ points in three games or more in the fourth quarter this season as he is eighth in the NBA this season in total fourth quarter points with 209 and is second in the League in made 3s in the final quarter of regulation with 36. Rozier is just the second player in franchise history with multiple 20-point fourth quarters in a season along with Kemba Walker (4, 2018-19) as he’s one of three players this season with four or more made 3-point field goals in the fourth quarter in two games along with Damian Lillard and Jamal Murray. Last season, only three players (Trae Young: 4, Bradley Beal: 2, Zach Lavine: 2) had multiple games with a 20-point fourth quarter. A FIRST HALF TO REMEMBER: Hornets guard LaMelo Ball got off to a strong start in the first half of his rookie season, including some honors and historically great accomplishments, especially in the month of February. Below are some notes related to Ball’s first half performance. • For his play during the first half of the season, Ball was named to the 2021 U.S. Team Rising Stars Roster, selected by the other assistant coaches in the NBA. Accoding to Elias Sports Bureau, he is the only player over the last 60 seasons to lead all rookies in total points, rebounds, assists and steals at the All-Star break. • Also according to ESB, Ball is just the sixth player in NBA history to lead all rookies in total points, rebounds and assists along with Alvan Adams (1975-76), Oscar Robertson (1960-61), Wil Chamberlain (1959-60), Elgin Baylor (1958-59) and Bob Pettit (1954-55). Each of those five players went on to when Rookie of the Year in their respective rookie season and four of the five went on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. • Ball made 13 appearances in February, all starts, and averaged 20.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting .452% from the field, .407% from 3-point range and .864% from the free throw line. For his performance, Ball earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for a second consecutive month to become the second Hornets rookie in franchise history to win back-to-back Rookie of the Month awards in the first two months it was awarded. • Ball was one of five players in February to appear in at least five games and average 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals or more per game along with Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Pascal Siakam; only him and Jokic shot .400% or better from beyond the arc. Over the last 20 seasons, Ball becomes just the fifth rookie to average 20-5-5 in February: Stephen Curry (’09-10), Luka Doncic (’18-19), Tyreke Evans (’09-10) and Russell Westbrook (’08-09) as him and Curry are the only ones to also average 1.5 steals per game. • According to ESPN Stats & Info, per Elias Sports Bureau, Ball became the third teenager to average 20-6-6 in a calendar month (min. 10 games), joining Doncic and James who each did it multiple times. • Ball scored 20 points in eight games during February, which most by a Hornets rookie, surpassing Alonzo Mourning’s seven 20-point games in February during the 1992-93 season. Ball had the most 20-point games in the second month of the year by a first-year player since Zion Williamson (9) during the 2019-20 season. LaMELO DOES IT AGAIN: Hornets first-year guard LaMelo Ball continues to impress as he recorded 30 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a career-high tying four steals at Portland on Mar. 1 for his first game with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Ball is the third youngest player in NBA history with 30-5-5 at 19 years and 191 days old, only behind LeBron James (Six times, youngest: 18 years, 334 days) and Kevin Durant (19 years, 190 days). Ball is the youngest player with 30-5-5 along with four steals and just the sixth rookie over the last 20 seasons with that stat line as well as just the third rookie since the 2009-10 season along with Luka Doncic (3/6/19) and Stephen Curry (3/13, 3/24/10). In franchise history, Ball is just the third rookie with 30 points, five rebounds and five assists along with Raymond Felton (3/22/06 at CLE) and Larry Johnson (1/22/92 vs. CHI, 3/19/92 @ PHI) as only Ball and Felton also tallied four-plus steals. The last Hornets player to total 30-5-5 was Malik Monk on Jan. 24, 2020 with 31 points, five rebounds and five dimes as Kemba Walker is the last player with such a performance along with four or more steals on Nov. 15, 2016; Walker had 30 points, five rebounds six assists and five steals at Minnesota. Ball is one of nine players this season with 30-5-5-4 and just one of two rookies along with Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey with 30-5-5 in a game. Ball has posted 20-5-5 in six games this season, tied with Felton for the second most games by a Hornets rookie only behind Johnson (16) as he is just one of four rookies in franchise history with multiple 30-point games (Alonzo Mourning, 8; Johnson, 3; Felton, 2). Ball is tied for the fourth most games with 20-5-5 by a rookie in their teens along with Kevin Durant. LaMELO’S GONE STREAKING: Hornets guard LaMelo Ball had 30 points and eight assists as he has now had four straight games with 20 points and five assists (24p/12a at SAC, 2/28; 20p/6a at GSW, 2/26; 20p/8a at PHX, 2/24). Ball’s four-game streak is the longest by a rookie in the NBA since Ja Morant had four straight games with at least 20 points and five assists from Mar. 7 to August 2, 2020. He the only Hornets rookie in franchise history with four straight 20-5 games as Larry Johnson had two three-game streaks with Ball also holding the franchise record for most 20-point, 10 assist games by a Hornets rookie with three, which is also tied for the second most by a Hornets player over the last three seasons and the most since Devonte’ Graham (6) during the 2019-20 season. Ball now has 12 games this season with 20+ points, tied for the fifth most by a Hornets rookie with Adam Morrison (2006-07). Ball has had 20+ points five straight games, just the third rookie in franchise history with such a streak along with Johnson and Alonzo Mourning as it is the longest since by a Hornets rookie since Mourning scored 20+ in 13 straight games from Mar. 24 to Apr. 17, 1993. Ball’s streak is the longest by a rookie in the NBA since Zion Williamson who had 13 straight 20-point outings from Jan. 31 to Mar. 4, 2020. Washington is the first Hornets player with two 20-point halves in the same game since Kemba Walker on Apr. 10, 2019 when Walker had a 22-point first half and 21-point second half. 40-POINT SCORERS: Hornets forward PJ Washington scored a career-high 42 points as he is the third Hornets player this season with 40+ points along with guard Terry Rozier (42, 12/23 at CLE; 41, 2/12 vs. MIN) and forward Gordon Hayward (44, 1/6 at ATL). Charlotte is one of two teams along with the Nets (Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving) to have three players with a 40-point game this season as the Hornets are tied for the fifth most 40-point games with Brooklyn and Golden State with four as Philadelphia leads the NBA with six games where a player has had 40+ points. This marks the first time in franchise history where the Hornets have had three players with at least one 40-point game in a season. ROZIER’S EXCELLENCE: Hornets guard Terry Rozier has been tremendous all season long, including a strong performance in February. Here are a few notes on Rozier’s performance this season and how it stacks up in franchise history as well as against other players in the NBA this season. • In his second season with Charlotte, Rozier is averaging 20.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting .488% from the field and .435% from 3-point range. Rozier is one of four qualified players this season (appeared in 70% of team’s games) along with Clippers forward Paul George, Bulls guard Zach Lavine and Bucks forward Khris Middleton, averaging at least 20.0 points and making .475% of their field goal attempts and .425% of their 3-point tries. • Rozier ranks tied for 10th in the NBA this season in total 3-point field goals made with 114 and is averaging 3.4 3-point field goals made per game, which ranks tied for ninth among league leaders. Rozier’s also tied for 17th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage. • Rozier totaled 31 points at Minnesota on Mar. 3, including 18 points in the third quarter alone along with five made 3s, tying the franchise record for made 3-pointers in a quarter. Rozier has had three 40-point games and 12 30-point games in one and a half seasons with the Hornets compared to just two 30-point games in his first four NBA seasons. • Rozier has scored 15+ points in six quarters this season as he is one of 13 players in the NBA with six or more quarters with 15+ points. He is also just one of nine players with nine or more games with five-plus makes from beyond the arc. • He recorded 36 points vs. Golden State on Feb. 20, as he had four straight 30-point games from Feb. 10 to 20, after 33 points vs. SA on Feb. 14, 41 points vs. MIN on Feb. 12 and 34 points at MEM on Feb. 10. This was the first time Rozier’s had 30+ points in four consecutive games as he is one of eight players this season with 30 points or more in four consecutive games. • He is the first Hornets player with four straight 30-point performances since Kemba Walker (5, 2/2-2/11/19) and just the third player in franchise history with a 30-point streak of four games or longer along with Walker and Glen Rice who both completed the feat two times. • Rozier is one of 13 players this season with multiple 40-point performances as well as one of 13 players with 35+ points in four or more outings this season. • Over the four-game stretch, Rozier averaged 36.0 points (.600 FG%, .590 3pt%, 1.000 FT%), 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as he is one of nine players this season to average 36.0 points or more over a four-game span, according to Basketball Reference. He is just the third player in franchise history to average at least 36.0 points over a four-game period along with Rice (36.8 from 1/28-2/2/97; 36.3, 4/2-4/7/97) and Walker (36.0, 11/17-11/23/18). • Rozier totaled 20 points in the fourth quarter alone vs. Golden State and 28 in the second half has scored 25+ points in three halves this season, all in the second half, as he’s one of 10 players with three 25-point halves and one of six with three 25-point second halves. Rozier is one of five players this season with multiple 20-point quarters overall as he scored 10+ points in a quarter 10 times during the month of February, including seven 10-point quarters over the four-game stretch where he had at least 30 points each game. • He had 30+ points in four of the 10 games he appeared in February and 20+ points in six of his 10 games; he is just the sixth player in franchise history with four or more 30-point games in February. • In 11 games in February, Rozier averaged 23.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting .517% from the field, .447% from beyond the arc and .944% from the free throw line in February. Rozier was one of 10 players along to average at least 20.0 points and shoot .500% or better from the floor and .400% from 3-point distance (1 3PA/ Game) in five or more games in February. Among that group, he was just one of three players with Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Raptors guard Normal Powell to also shoot .900% or better from the line.
SCOTIABANK ARENA (TORONTO, ON) ▪ TV: SPORTSNET ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus WINNIPEG
ALL-TIME RECORD:
36-20-1-9 (66 Games)
ALL-TIME on the ROAD:
19-10-1-4 (34 Games)
2020-21:
2-1-0
LAST FIVE:
3-1-1
LAST 10:
7-2-1
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus WINNIPEG
GAMES PLAYED:
Jason Spezza (53), Joe Thornton (46), John Tavares (31)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (15), Joe Thornton (12), John Tavares (10)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (36), Joe Thornton (32), John Tavares (23)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (51), Joe Thornton (44), John Tavares (33)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Joe Thornton (41), John Tavares (25), Jason Spezza (20)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
WINNIPEG
GOALS FOR (Rank):
97 (2nd)
86 (t-7th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
70 (t-10th)
75 (15th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
26/83 [31.3%] (2nd)
18/76 [23.7%] (12th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
61/79 [77.2%] (19th)
49/64 [76.6%] (20th)
SHOTS PER GAME (Rank):
30.8 (t-9th)
29.3 (21st)
SHOTS AGAINST PER GAME (Rank):
28.4 (7th)
32.1 (28th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
1181 (8th)
1082 (16th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
49.4% (t-17th)
47.5% (27th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.2% (t-8th)
48.4% (22nd)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS NOTES
First Matchup between Clubs:
Oct. 27, 1999 (Toronto 4, Atlanta 0)
All-Time Record:
36-20-1-9 (66 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:
19-10-1-4 (34 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:
17-10-0-5 (32 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:
March 11, 2021 (Toronto 4, Winnipeg 3 OT)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
21 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
26 (Marner)
POINTS
37 (Marner)
POWER PLAY POINTS
13 (Marner)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
N/A
PIMs
26 (Bogosian)
SHOTS
108 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
59.2% (Tavares)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
56.9% (Thornton)
BLOCKED SHOTS
43 (Brodie, Holl)
TAKEAWAYS
25 (Matthews)
HITS
46 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
23:56 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:22 (Matthews)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:50 (Holl)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Tied for second in the NHL in wins (13).- Tied for ninth among NHL goaltenders in saves made (507).- Has a 11-1-2 record with a 2.93 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in 15 career games against Winnipeg.
Travis Boyd
– Averaging 2.61 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks fourth among Toronto skaters who have appeared in multiple games.
TJ Brodie
– Averaging 19:05 in even-strength ice time, which ranks second among Toronto skaters.- Has the highest on-ice goals-for percentage (65.1%) at even strength among Maple Leafs defencemen who have appeared in multiple games.- Third among Maple Leafs defencemen in points (0-10-10).
Jack Campbell
– Is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage this season.
Justin Holl
– Tied for 15th among NHL right handed defencemen who average at least 15 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time (17:32) with a shot attempt percentage of 53.4% when the score is within one goal.- Ranks 37th in the NHL in shorthanded ice time per game (2:50).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in primary assists at 5-on-5 (5).
Michael Hutchinson
– Has a .934 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average through five starts this season.
Zach Hyman
– Leads Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:04).- Has the third-highest on-ice goals for percentage (64.7%) at 5-on-5 among Toronto forwards.
Alex Kerfoot
– Leads the Maple Leafs in on-ice goals for percentage (70.0%) at 5-on-5.- Sixth among Toronto forwards in shifts per game (19.9).- Has the sixth highest points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.97) among Toronto skaters who have appeared in over five games.
Mitch Marner
– Fourth among NHLers in assists (26).- Fourth among NHLers in points (11-26-37).- Tied for second in the NHL in even-strength goals (11).- Leads NHL forwards in time on ice per game (22:33).- Has played 39.5% of Toronto’s shorthanded ice time.- Has the sixth highest on-ice goals for percentage (60.8%) at 5-on-5 among Toronto forwards..
Auston Matthews
– Leads the NHL in goals (21).- Leads the NHL in game-winning goals (7).- Fifth among NHLers in points (21-14-35).- Averaging 21:58 in time on ice per game, which is fourth among NHL forwards.- Third among Maple Leafs forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.9%).- Third in the NHL in shots on goal (108).
Ilya Mikheyev
– Ranks third among Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (1:46).- Has an average of 17.1 shot attempts per 60 minutes of shorthanded ice time, which is tied for sixth among NHLers who have played at least 45 minutes of shorthanded ice time (49:14). – Has started 35.2% of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest percentage among Maple Leafs.
Jake Muzzin
– Tied for eighth among NHL defencemen in assists at 5-on-5 (8).- Tied for 30th among NHL defencemen and tied for eighth among Maple Leafs in points (1-12-13). – Has started 48.8 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest mark among Toronto defencemen.
William Nylander
– Tied for second among Maple Leafs in goals (11).- Has the seventh highest points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.77) among Toronto skaters who have appeared in over five games.- Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 54.1%, which is the second-highest percentage among Maple Leafs.- Has an on-ice goals for percentage of 61.9% at 5-on-5.
Morgan Rielly
– Leads Maple Leafs in average time on ice (23:56).- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in points (3-19-22).- Has a pair of goals and nine assists in 15 games at home this season.- Tied for eighth among NHL defencemen in assists at 5-on-5 (8).
Jason Spezza
– Has the highest points per 60 minutes rate (2.99) at 5-on-5 among Maple Leafs who have appeared in over five games.- Has won 56.8% of his defensive zone faceoffs, which is tied for the eighth highest percentage among NHLers who have taken at least 125 defensive zone draws (125).
John Tavares
– Has the fourth highest faceoff win percentage (59.2%) among NHLers who have taken at least 400 faceoffs (419).- Has a goal and two assists in three games against the Jets this season.- Has 10 goals and 23 assists in 31 career games against Winnipeg.- Has an on-ice goals for percentage of 65.0% at 5-on-5 in 2020-21, which ranks third among Toronto skaters.
Joe Thornton
– Has the highest 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage among Toronto skaters at 56.9%.- Averaging 2.00 points per 60 minutes of ice time this season, which ranks fifth among Toronto skaters.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
TJ Brodie
Assists (3) in three consecutive games.
Mitch Marner
Assists (2) in two consecutive games and points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games.
Auston Matthews
Goals (3) and points (3-1-4) in two consecutive games.
William Nylander
Points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games.
Morgan Rielly
Assists (3) in two consecutive games.
John Tavares
Assists (2) in two consecutive games and points (1-2-3) in three consecutive games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Zach Bogosian
Two points from 200 NHL points
William Nylander
Three goals from 100 NHL goals
Joe Thornton
Three assists from 1,100 career NHL assists
RECENT MILESTONES
Kenny Agostino
First game as a Maple Leaf (March 11 vs. WPG)
INJURY REPORT
Jack Campbell (Lower Body)
Did not play on March 11 vs. WPG.
Wayne Simmonds (Wrist)
On injured reserve.
Man Games Lost: 72
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
March 12
Acquired goaltender Veini Vehviläinen from Columbus in exchange for defenceman Mikko Lehtonen.
Laval: J. Blandisi (3) (J. Ylonen, J. Brook), J. Ylonen (3) (A. Belzile, C. Schueneman) Goaltender: C. Primeau (27/31)
Toronto: N. Petan (1) (T. Liljegren, A. Barabanov), A. Barabanov (1) (A. Galchenyuk, N. Petan), A. Galchenyuk (2) (A. Barabnov, K. Rubins), J. Anderson (4) SH (K. Kossila) Goaltender: J. Woll (31/34)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Nic Petan scored at 15:11 of the first period and later added the secondary assist on Barabanov’s second period assist. This is Petan’s first AHL game this season. Petan has one assist in seven games with the Maple Leafs.
Alexander Barabanov scored at 3:54 of the second period. He also added the secondary assist on Petan’s first period goal and the primary assist on Galchenyuk’s second period goal. This is Barabanov’s first AHL game this season. Barabanov has played in 11 games this season.
Alex Galchenyuk scored at 9:47 of the second period and earlier had the primary assist on Barabanov’s second period goal. Galchenyuk has six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in five games with the Marlies this season.
Joey Anderson scored shorthanded at 18:36 of the second period. This was Anderson’s first career shorthanded goal. He has six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in 13 games with the Marlies.
Timothy Liljegren recorded the primary assist on Petan’s first period goal. Liljegren has collected seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in nine games with the Marlies this season.
Kristians Rubins registered the secondary assist on Galchenyuk’s second period goal. Rubins has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 13 games.
Kalle Kossila had the lone assist on Anderson’s shorthanded goal. He has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in seven games with the Marlies this season.
Joseph Woll stopped 31 of 34 shots he faced in his first start this season. He is now 1-0-0-0 on the season with a 3.01 goals against average and 0.912 save percentage.
OF NOTE…
Toronto went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play. Joey Anderson scored Toronto’s second shorthanded goal this season in the second period.
Laval had a 34-31 edge in shots in all situations. Alexander Barabanov, Rourke Chartier and Timothy Liljegren led the Marlies with four shots on goal.
The Marlies are 7-6-0-0 against Canadian Division opponents and 1-0-0-0 against the Laval Rocket.
RECORD WHEN…
The Marlies are 1-4-0-0 when tied after the first period and 6-0-0-0 when leading after the second period.
Toronto is 4-2-0 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 1-3-0-0 in Friday games and are 3-2-0-0 in March.
MARLIES LEADERS
Goals: T. Gaudet, T. Kivihalme (5)
Assists: A. Brooks, T. Gaudet,N. Robertson (7)
Points: T. Gaudet (12)
PPG: J. Brazeau,A. Brooks (2)
Shots: J. Anderson (31)
+/-: T. Gaudet (+13)
PIMS: R. Clune (22)
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH GREG MOORE
On why the team went 11-7 tonight: We had a couple of young defencemen playing tonight in McCourt and Hoefenmayer. We wanted to give them some reps, they’ve been working really hard during their time here and give them some reps in what was a very important game and test them. They showed really well. We also had a lot of players up front that could log a lot of minutes and really the versatility of players that could play centre and wing, there was a lot of things creatively that I could do with the lines with that lineup.
On what makes it difficult to play against Laval: Their forecheck really hard. There’s always pressure, there’s always some on top of you. You really got to get comfortable playing inside of contact offensively and defensively. They don’t turn pucks over. They make you earn every inch of ice, they make you go 200-feet every time. All the game management things in terms of length of shift, knowing where you are in the period, what period it is, there’s a lot of items that you have to be really disciplined about against a team like this and our guys were willing to do that today.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Feb. 11 Alexander Barabanov (LW) – loaned from Toronto (NHL Taxi) Timothy Liljegren (D) – returned on loan from Toronto (NHL Taxi) Martin Marincin (D) – recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL Taxi) Nic Petan (LW) – loaned from Toronto (NHL Taxi) Nick Robertson (LW) – recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL Taxi) Calle Rosen (D) – recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL Taxi) Joseph Woll (G) – recalled from loan by Toronto (NHL Taxi)
UPCOMING GAMES: *All times Eastern Standard Time
March 14 at Laval – 7:00 p.m. March 19 at Belleville – 7:00 p.m. March 20 at Belleville – 3:00 p.m. March 24 vs. Belleville – 7:00 p.m. March 29 vs. Stockton – 7:00 p.m.
Mitch Marner put the Maple Leafs on the board at 3:14 of the second period and later had the secondary assist on Auston Matthews’ overtime goal. Tonight’s game is his 11th multi-point game of the season. Marner has assists (2) and points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games. He has 21 points (7-14-21) in 15 home games this season. He has five points (3-2-5) in three games against the Jets in 2020-21.
William Nylander scored the second Toronto goal of the game at 6:31 of the third period. Nylander has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games. He has 15 points (6-9-15) in 15 games on home ice this season. He has a goal and two assists in three games against Winnipeg.
Ilya Mikheyev scored the third Maple Leafs goal of the night at 12:39 of the third period. Mikheyev has two goals and an assist over his last five games. He has two goals and two assists through six games during the month of March.
Auston Matthews registered the primary assist on Marner’s second period goal and later scored the overtime winning goal at 0:59 of the extra frame. Tonight’s game is his 10th multi-point performance of the season. Matthews has goals (3) and points (3-1-4) in two consecutive games. He has 23 points (14-9-23) in 14 games on home ice. In 11 career games against the Jets, he has recorded 16 points (7-9-16). He leads the NHL in goals (20) and game-winning goals (7).
TJ Brodie picked up the secondary assist on Marner’s second period goal. Brodie has assists (3) in three consecutive games. He has a pair of assists in three games against Winnipeg this season.
John Tavares registered the primary assist on Nylander’s third period goal. Tavares has points (1-2-3) in three consecutive games. He has five points (2-3-5) over his last five games played. He has a goal and two assists in three games against the Jets this season.
Morgan Rielly had the secondary assist on Nylander’s third period goal and later recorded the primary assist on Matthews’ overtime winner. Tonight’s game is Rielly’s sixth multi-assist and seventh multi-point game of the season. He has three assists in three games against Winnipeg this season.
Alex Kerfoot registered the primary assist on Mikheyev’s third period goal. He has a pair of assists over his last three games. He has recorded six of his nine assists on home ice this season. In three games against Winnipeg this season, he has recorded two assists.
Pierre Engvall picked up the secondary assist on Mikheyev’s third period goal. Engvall has a goal and two assists over his last five games played. He has recorded two goals and four assists in 19 games played this season.
Frederik Andersen stopped 23 shots to earn his 13th win of the season.
The Maple Leafs were 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-2 on the power play tonight.
Toronto’s line of Kenny Agostino, Jason Spezza and Jimmy Vesey were the lone Maple Leafs to not start a 5-on-5 shift in the offensive zone.
Kenny Agostino played in his first game as a Maple Leaf.
Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly were on the ice for a team-high 31 shot attempts for at 5-on-5. Matthews finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 60.9% (31 for, 20 against), while Rielly finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 66% (31 for, 16 against).
John Tavares won 78% (7 won, 2 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs and was 4-for-5 (80%) on defensive zone faceoffs.
UPCOMING GAMES:
Saturday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. vs. Winnipeg Jets (Sportsnet, FAN 590)
Sunday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Senators (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Friday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames (Sportsnet Ontario, FAN 590)
Saturday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. vs. Calgary Flames (Sportsnet, TSN 1050)
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. at Ottawa Senators (TSN4, FAN 590)
Stats reflect official NHL stats at the time of distribution. Please consult official NHL game sheets (links above) to confirm no statistical changes were made.
INJURY REPORT OG Anunoby (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Terence Davis ll (Left Ankle; Sprain) – Questionable Malachi Flynn (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Patrick McCaw (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Pascal Siakam (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out Fred VanVleet (Health and Safety Protocols) – Out
RAPTORS NOTES • The Toronto Raptors begin their second half schedule Thursday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks at Amalie Arena. The Raptors have won four in a row against the Hawks at home. Thursday will mark the second of three meetings with Atlanta this season. Trae Young had 28 points and 13 assists as the Hawks held off Toronto 132-121 in Atlanta on Feb. 6. The Hawks will also visit Tampa on Apr. 13. • Kyle Lowry needs just five points to pass Chris Bosh (10,275) for second on the Raptors’ all-time scoring list. DeMar DeRozan is the franchise leader with 13,296 career points. Lowry is Toronto’s all-time leader in assists (4,143), steals (862), three-point field goals (1,470) and wins (361), ranks second in games played (584) and third in rebounds (2,867). • Kyle Lowry tied the franchise record with a career-high 19 assists March 4 at Boston. Lowry is the third Raptor to record 19 assists in a single game, joining Damon Stoudamire and Jose Calderon (twice). • Chris Boucher scored a career-high 30 points (11-15 FG, 5-9 3PT, 3-4 FT) in 35 minutes off the bench March 4 at Boston. Boucher is the first Raptors reserve since Terence Davis on Feb. 2, 2020 vs. Chicago to score 30+ points. Boucher (61 3PT, 69 BLK) is the only player in the NBA with 50+ three-point field goals and 50+ blocks this season. He is currently averaging career highs of 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 23.6 minutes and was the only Raptor to appear in all 36 games in the first half. • The Raptors will be without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top five scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw for the third straight game Thursday vs. Atlanta because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Siakam also missed Toronto’s game Feb. 26 against Houston due to health and safety protocols. Terence Davis is questionable after sustaining a left ankle sprain late in the fourth quarter Mar. 4 at Boston. • Head Coach Nick Nurse is expected to return to the bench against the Hawks after missing the previous three games because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Assistant coach Sergio Scariolo had been serving as the acting head coach. Scariolo rejoined the team Feb. 26 vs. Houston after coaching Spain in FIBA’s EuroBasket 2022 qualifiers in Poland. • The Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward-centre Henry Ellenson to a 10-day contract. Ellenson averaged a team-high 21.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 30.6 minutes in 15 games with Raptors 905 in the G League bubble. He scored 20+ points seven times and recorded five double-doubles. • Vinik Sports Group and the Raptors have announced they will welcome a limited number of fans, with a capacity of 3,800, back to Amalie Arena for games starting on March 19 when Toronto faces Utah.
SCOTIABANK ARENA (TORONTO, ON) ▪ TV: TSN4 ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus WINNIPEG
ALL-TIME RECORD:
35-20-1-9 (65 Games)
ALL-TIME on the ROAD:
18-10-1-4 (33 Games)
2020-21:
1-1-0
LAST FIVE:
3-1-1
LAST 10:
6-2-2
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus WINNIPEG
GAMES PLAYED:
Jason Spezza (52), Joe Thornton (45), John Tavares (30)
GOALS:
Jason Spezza (15), Joe Thornton (12), John Tavares (10)
ASSISTS:
Jason Spezza (36), Joe Thornton (32), John Tavares (22)
POINTS:
Jason Spezza (51), Joe Thornton (44), John Tavares (32)
PENALTY MINUTES:
Joe Thornton (41), John Tavares (25), Jason Spezza (20)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS TEAM STATS
TORONTO
WINNIPEG
GOALS FOR (Rank):
93 (t-1st)
83 (t-6th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
67 (11th)
71 (t-14th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
26/82 [31.7%] (1st)
18/74 [24.3%] (12th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
59/77 [76.6%] (21st)
48/63 [76.2%] (22nd)
SHOTS PER GAME (Rank):
30.5 (t-10th)
29.4 (21st)
SHOTS AGAINST PER GAME (Rank):
28.5 (7th)
31.8 (t-27th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
1116 (9th)
1045 (17th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
48.8% (t-20th)
48.0% (t-23rd)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.0% (9th)
48.5% (t-20th)
MAPLE LEAFS – JETS NOTES
First Matchup between Clubs:
Oct. 27, 1999 (Toronto 4, Atlanta 0)
All-Time Record:
35-20-1-9 (65 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:
18-9-1-4 (32 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:
17-11-0-5 (33 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:
Jan. 18, 2021 (Toronto 3, Winnipeg 1)
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
20 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
25 (Marner)
POINTS
35 (Marner)
POWER PLAY POINTS
13 (Marner)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
N/A
PIMs
24 (Bogosian)
SHOTS
103 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
58.8% (Tavares)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
55.5% (Thornton)
BLOCKED SHOTS
43 (Brodie)
TAKEAWAYS
25 (Matthews)
HITS
44 (Hyman, Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
23:54 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:27 (Matthews)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:53 (Holl)
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
Frederik Andersen
– Tied for second in the NHL in wins (12).- Ranks 11th among NHL goaltenders in saves made (483).- Has a 10-1-2 record with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage in 14 career games against Winnipeg.
Travis Boyd
– Averaging 2.61 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks fourth among Toronto skaters who have appeared in multiple games.
TJ Brodie
– Averaging 18:56 in even-strength ice time, which ranks second among Toronto skaters.- Has the highest on-ice goals-for percentage (63.4%) at even strength among Maple Leafs defencemen who have appeared in multiple games.- Tied for third among Maple Leafs defencemen in points (0-9-9).
Jack Campbell
– Is 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage this season.
Justin Holl
– Tied for 18th among NHL right handed defencemen who average at least 15 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time (17:25) with a shot attempt percentage of 52.9% when the score is within one goal.- Ranks 31st in the NHL in shorthanded ice time per game (2:54).- Tied for third among NHL defencemen in primary assists at 5-on-5 (5).
Michael Hutchinson
– Has a .934 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average through five starts this season.
Zach Hyman
– Leads Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:03).- Has the second-highest on-ice goals for percentage (63.6%) at 5-on-5 among Toronto forwards.
Alex Kerfoot
– Leads the Maple Leafs in on-ice goals for percentage (68.4%) at 5-on-5.- Sixth among Toronto forwards in shifts per game (19.9).- Has the sixth highest points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.87) among Toronto skaters who have appeared in over five games.
Mitch Marner
– Fourth among NHLers in assists (25).- Fourth among NHLers in points (10-25-35).- Tied for fifth in the NHL in even-strength goals (10).- Leads NHL forwards in time on ice per game (22:29).- Has played 39.5% of Toronto’s shorthanded ice time.- Has the fifth highest on-ice goals for percentage (62.7%) at 5-on-5 among Toronto forwards..
Auston Matthews
– Leads the NHL in goals (18).- Sixth among NHLers in points (20-13-33).- Averaging 21:51 in time on ice per game, which is fifth among NHL forwards.- Third among Maple Leafs forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.3%).- Third in the NHL in shots on goal (103).
Ilya Mikheyev
– Ranks third among Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (1:49).- Has an average of 17.1 shot attempts per 60 minutes of shorthanded ice time, which ranks fifth among NHLers who have played at least 45 minutes of shorthanded ice time (49:14). – Has started 35.3% of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest percentage among Maple Leafs.
Jake Muzzin
– Tied for fifth among NHL defencemen in assists at 5-on-5 (8).- Tied for 27th among NHL defencemen and ranks eighth among Maple Leafs in points (1-12-13). – Has started 46.2 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone, which is the lowest mark among Toronto defencemen.
William Nylander
– Has the seventh highest points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.68) among Toronto skaters who have appeared in over five games.- Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 53.7%, which is the second-highest percentage among Maple Leafs.- Has an on-ice goals for percentage of 60.0% at 5-on-5.- Averaging 1.90 takeaways per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks fifth among Maple Leafs.
Morgan Rielly
– Leads Maple Leafs in average time on ice (23:54).- Seventh among NHL defencemen in points (3-17-20).- Has a pair of goals and seven assists in 14 games at home this season.- Tied for 11th among NHL defencemen in assists at 5-on-5 (7).
Jason Spezza
– Has the highest points per 60 minutes rate (3.07) at 5-on-5 among Maple Leafs who have appeared in over five games.- Has won 57.5% of his defensive zone faceoffs, which is tied for the seventh highest percentage among NHLers who have taken at least 100 defensive zone draws (120).
John Tavares
– Has the fourth highest faceoff win percentage (58.8%) among NHLers who have taken at least 400 faceoffs (400).- Has a goal and an assist in two games against the Jets this season.- Has 10 goals and 22 assists in 30 career games against Winnipeg.- Has an on-ice goals for percentage of 63.1% at 5-on-5 in 2020-21, which ranks fourth among Toronto skaters.
Joe Thornton
– Has the highest 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage among Toronto skaters at 55.5%.- Averaging 2.15 points per 60 minutes of ice time this season, which ranks fifth among Toronto skaters.
The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward-centre Henry Ellenson to a 10-day contract. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ellenson 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, averaged a team-high 21.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 30.6 minutes in 15 games (13 starts) with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League bubble. He shot .493 (107-217) from the field, .424 (53-125) from three-point range and .882 (30-34) at the free throw line. Ellenson scored 20+ points seven times and recorded five double-doubles.
A native of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Ellenson helped Raptors 905 (12-3) earn the top seed for the G League playoffs and reach the semifinals. In the postseason, he averaged 24.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 36.0 minutes in two games and scored a season-high 35 points in Raptors 905’s first-round victory over Team Ignite.
Ellenson played one season at Marquette (2015-16) prior to being picked 18th overall by Detroit in the 2016 NBA Draft. He is averaging 4.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 9.2 minutes in 81 career NBA games (two starts) with Detroit, New York and Brooklyn.
SAN JOSE — The first night after he found out he had tested positive for the coronavirus, Tomas Hertl had a fever and sweated so much that he had to change the sheets in his bed. For the next few days, he experienced headaches every time he stood up. He would take a three-hour nap,…
WAYNE EMBRY AMONG WINNERS OF 2020 MANNIE JACKSON – BASKETBALL’S HUMAN SPIRIT AWARD
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today Toronto Raptors Senior Basketball Advisor Wayne Embry, along with George Raveling and Bill Russell, are the winners of the 2020 Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. Honoured for their decades-long commitment to social justice, the 2020 award recipients will be formally recognized in May 2021 during Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend.
“Mr. Embry sets the example by which we measure ourselves, every day,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri. “Having him as a member of our team is an unbelievable gift. He reminds us of the privileges we have, because we are all benefiting from the work he and his colleagues did for us. And he provides us with inspiration – can we live up to his example? That is what we strive to do. Because of you, Mr. Embry.”
Established in 2007, the Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award honours individuals who have found the game of basketball to be a contributing aspect of their personal growth and accomplishment, a place to develop an understanding of others and an avenue that has helped shape his or her growth into a recognized visionary leader. Winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for his or her actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.
Embry, Raveling and Russell were chosen from a large candidate pool that represents every level of basketball and is reviewed annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson. The winner recognition process was paused in 2020 due to the global pandemic and two sets of winners are expected to be recognized in the 2021 calendar year.
Embry has been affiliated with the NBA for more than 50 years as a player and front office executive, joining the Raptors organization in 2004. While Embry enjoyed a successful 11-year career as a player, he will be forever remembered in professional sports circles for being the first African American to be general manager when he was named to the post by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972. From 1985-92, Embry served as vice-president and general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He moved to an executive vice-president position with the club from 1992-94, and in 1994 once again made history by becoming the first African American NBA team president and chief operating officer.
A native of Springfield, Ohio, Embry has been a prominent community activist and mentor in each city where he has lived and worked. Embry was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. Miami University, his alma mater, recently announced that a statue of Embry would be placed on campus, the first African American alumnus to be so honoured, for his contributions to the university, the state of Ohio and his transformative impact on the sport of basketball.
Q. Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun: Your first three game losing streak this year. Where’s the team at, but also obviously considering you’re still first overall?
Sheldon Keefe: I think we’re just going through it here a little bit. I think every team goes through little stretches like this, but I think there’s lots for us to take away from it. I think it’s obviously a good thing for us that in all three games we’re right there, we’re in every game and we could have very easily gotten points out of each. That’s a good sign that we’re still right there. That said, I think what really clearly comes out of these games for me is usually games are close, the division is extremely competitive, that’s a very good team we’re playing against tonight, but you either have winning habits or you have losing habits. When you have losing habits you end up giving up free goals and then when you’re not scoring enough on the other side of it, you lose games. We’ve got to get back to having consistent winning habits and we’ll find that things will end up working out in our favour in the end. It’s obviously very disappointing that after three fantastic, perhaps three of our of best games of the season in Edmonton, that we’ve followed it up here now with, not poor performances, we’ve played fine in each game, but just not doing enough of the little things well that end up getting you to find ways to win games.
Q. Kevin McGran, Toronto Star: Can you give me an example of a winning habit or two, as opposed to a losing habit or two? What do you mean by that?
Sheldon Keefe: A winning habit simply, for me, is when you don’t have a play, there’s nothing happening and force a play through the middle of the ice versus just moving the puck forward and putting it to safe place and get structure around it. It cost us a goal in Vancouver and essentially cost us the game, and then tonight very similar play. We’re stuck in the neutral zone and we’re tired and we turn it over. When we need to get fresh guys on we’re caught in a line change and then you don’t have any structure coming back in your end, the puck’s in your net. Little things like that that when you’re not scoring enough to allow for mistakes like that you’ve just got to keep piling positive and good habits and good shifts. Over time things will find their way. Those are the little things that come out of it that are just lessons that we need to continue to learn. As I said, we didn’t play poorly. I thought we played good enough certainly to get a point out of this game here today. We were right there. I’d like to see us generate more offence, but I still think we generated more than enough to score more than we did. Obviously, their goaltender, I think it’s fair to say, was their best player tonight. To me, you can still win games or get points if you’ve got good enough habits and those are the little things that have slipped a little bit for us here in the last few games.
Q. Chris Johnston, Sportsnet: You spoke after practice yesterday about different ways Auston was contributing. He scored a couple goals tonight in ways we don’t typically see him score. What did you think of his game as he continues to adapt to what he’s dealing with?
Sheldon Keefe: I think it just speaks to the calibre of player that he is. I also think he doesn’t get enough credit for scoring those types of goals. I think you go back through his goals he’s scored more than a fair share of those types of goals. He’s got extremely good hands in and around the net. He doesn’t typically play in those positions so he doesn’t get as many opportunities as other people, but he’s got a lot of goals – I’ve looked at his career goals – that he scores in around the net. That’s what I’m talking about where it’s him just adapting his game a little bit, going to different spaces and he’s good enough abilities and sense to make good on those chances.
Q. Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun: Tonight you get scored-on on a tough line change, your own deflection into your own goal and a tough penalty kill. Is this a case tonight of you beating you as opposed than them beating you?
Sheldon Keefe: Yeah I would say so, Steve. That’s kind of what I’m getting at. I think we definitely get caught on a line change but you need to make line changes, guys are tired so I think it’s about taking care of the puck and putting it in a good spot to let the line change happen in that case. Again, penalty kill has got to find a way to get a kill for us. We’ve got to get that stop, it’s a very similar goal to the one we gave up the other night. We’ve got to get a blocked shot and seven seconds left in the kill, you’ve got to get through it, we were right there. Winnipeg played a good game too, they defended well. They’re very opportunistic, but certainly when we’re talking about habits and mistakes, when you’re up against a goalie that’s playing really well and they’re not giving you anything for free on offense you can’t have those types of breakdowns if you’re expecting to get points out of games. For me that’s why we’ve come up empty handed in these three games. I don’t think we’ve played poorly. As I’ve said, it’s just little things that have end up going the other side and throughout the season a lot of nights, we’ve scored enough or bounces have gone our way. Looking back the other way I think we’re helping it go that way with some of our decisions and how things have slipped. Maybe we can chalk it up to fatigue, I don’t quite know. I just know we have to continue to learn from it.
Q. David Alter, The Hockey News: What was your overall assessment of Zach Hyman’s game tonight?
Sheldon Keefe: I thought he was really good. He’s been really good for us. He played hard, big time goal he scored for us. He’s working, he’s doing his job for us. He’s been really good.
JUSTIN HOLL
Q. Kevin McGran, Toronto Star: Just your thoughts on this game, you guys now losing three in a row. What do you think is going on from your perspective?
Justin Holl: I thought we just made some critical errors tonight which put us in a bad spot. We surrendered some goals when we shouldn’t have and let the game get away from us a little bit. We all know that we have the ability to score goals and score goals in bunches. I thought we had our chances in the third but you have to give credit to their goalie who’s very good. We just couldn’t find a way to get the fourth one.
Q. Bob McGill, Leafs Nation Network: Tonight, you have a 2-1 lead and were there just some missed opportunities as well where you could have upped your lead before they were able to get back?
Justin Holl: Exactly, I think some missed opportunities in there and a 2-1 lead is obviously never safe. The more goals that we can score the better but we still feel like we defend well enough to protect a lead like that and get our goals through our structure. It’s disappointing for us but nothing to do but move forward.
ZACH HYMAN
Q. Mark Masters, TSN: What did you see as the difference tonight?
Zach Hyman: We had some chances. We didn’t capitalize on all our chances and they had some grade A opportunities that they were able to capitalize on. They’ve got a bunch of elite players that can make plays, we just have to be ready for them for a full 60. It could have gone either way I think but they were able to capitalize a little more than us.
Q. Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun: After the first three game losing streak of the season, where do you think the team is at?
Zach Hyman: I think we’re in a good spot. I think all teams go through adversity, like you said this is the first time we’ve lost three in a row and we want to bounce back. We’re not happy about it obviously. Especially to a team that’s chasing us in the division and on home ice. We’ve got to be better but all teams face adversity throughout the year and it’s a good thing to go through a little adversity.
AUSTON MATTHEWS
Q. Kevin McGran, Toronto Star: Two goals for you tonight. Obviously, you’d much rather have the win than the goals, but can you just assess the game tonight and give us an update on your wrist felt after playing tonight?
Auston Matthews: I thought it wasn’t a bad game, but definitely wasn’t our best. I think we had really good moments at times and had the puck in their zone and were creating lots of chances. I thought in the third period we had a couple really good looks and you’ve got to tip your hat to their goalie, he made some good saves. I don’t think chasing the game and being behind is obviously a position we’d like to be in, but I think a couple bounces either way we could have definitely been back in that game. I think we can take a lot from this one moving forward. We’ve got these guys two more times. Hopefully a good practice day tomorrow, rest up and make some adjustments and be ready for Thursday.
Q. Jonas Siegel, The Athletic: I’m just wondering how much pain or discomfort you’re in right now?
Auston Matthews: Once you get out there it dwindles away. I felt fine today and my legs felt good. We did some good stuff tonight. Obviously, we’d like to get the two points, but I think it’s always a positive when you’re helping the team in different areas of the game.
JOHN TAVARES
Q. Kevin McGran, Toronto Star: Three losses in a row all in regulation. What’s your personal concern level here with what’s going on with the team?
John Tavares: We just haven’t been as crisp as we like to be for 60 minutes. We just don’t seem to be ending up on the right side of it. We’ve been in all these games, really tight. We’ve had chances to win them all. We’ve just got to make some key plays and obviously do a little better of a job defending against our opponent. We generated enough chances tonight. We just gave them a little bit too much off the rush.
Q. Mark Masters, TSN: You seem to be running into a bunch of hot goalies here of late. What stands out to you about the challenge presented to you by Connor Hellebuyck?
John Tavares: He’s a great netminder. Tremendous here last year, doing great things again this year. You just have got to continue to find ways to solve him and get to the net and create opportunities. We’ve got quality shooters. We’ve just got to find ways to capitalize on what we’re generating.
The view from left field 