Cody Ceci opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs with a shorthanded goal at 18:52 of the first period. Ceci’s goal is his first career playoff goal and first point of the 2020 postseason. He had a goal and seven assists in 56 games this season. He has four points (1-3-4) in 28 career playoff games. Ceci’s first period goal is his first NHL goal to come while shorthanded in regular season or postseason play. He is the first Maple Leaf defenceman to score a shorthanded goal in the playoffs since Jim McKenny on April 9, 1972 vs. Boston.
William Nylander scored the second Toronto goal of the night at 7:08 of the second period on the power play. Nylander’s goal is his first goal of the playoffs. He has points (1-1-2) in two consecutive games. In 23 career playoff games, he has recorded 13 points (3-10-13).
Nick Robertson scored the third Maple Leafs goal of the game at 8:48 of the second period. Robertson’s goal is his first in NHL competition. At 18 years, 330 days old, he is the third Maple Leaf in franchise history to score a playoff goal before the age of 19, joining Jack Hamilton and Ted Kennedy, per NHL Stats. He is the first NHLer to score a playoff goal before turning 19 since Sam Bennett with Calgary in 2015. He led the Ontario Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League in goal-scoring with this season with 55 goals in 46 games.
Alex Kerfoot registered the primary assist on Ceci’s first period goal and later added the secondary assist on Robertson’s second period goal. Kerfoot has assists (0-3-3) in two consecutive games. Tonight’s game is his first career multi-point and multi-assist playoff game. He has eight points (2-6-8) in 22 career postseason games.
Kasperi Kapanen collected the secondary assist on Ceci’s first period goal and later had the primary assist on Robertson’s second period goal. Kapanen’s first period assist was his first point of the 2020 playoffs. Tonight’s game is his third career multi-point and first career multi-assist playoff game. He had 13 goals and 23 assists in 69 games during the 2019-20 regular season. He has seven points (four goals, three assists) in 23 career playoff games.
Mitch Marner recorded the primary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Marner’s assist is his first point of the 2020 postseason. He had 16 goals and 51 assists in 59 games during the 2019-20 season. In 23 career playoff games, he has recorded 17 points (5-12-17).
Auston Matthews picked up the secondary assist on Nylander’s second period goal. Matthews has points (1-2-3) in two consecutive games. He has 16 points (11-5-16) in 23 career playoff games.
The Maple Leafs went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill and 1-for-2 on the power play tonight.
The Maple Leafs are 58-57-1 all-time in playoff overtimes.
Justin Holl was on the ice for a team-high 30 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5. He finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 47.6 percent (30 for, 33 against).
Martin Marincin played in his first game of the series.
John Tavares won 83 percent (10 won, 2 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs and was 11-for-16 (69%) in the faceoff circle against Columbus centre Pierre-Luc Dubois.
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
Shots
4 (Hyman, Nylander, Rielly)
Shot Attempts
7 (Mikheyev)
Faceoff Wins
16 (Tavares)
Faceoff Win Percentage
100% (Spezza – 2 won, 0 lost)
Hits
4 (Hyman, Marincin)
Blocked Shots
5 (Holl)
Takeaways
2 (Matthews, Tavares)
TOI
32:26 (Rielly)
Power Play TOI
2:10 (Nylander)
Shorthanded TOI
3:17 (Marincin)
Shifts
36 (Rielly)
5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage
73.3% (Spezza – 11 for, 4 against)
UPCOMING GAMES:
Friday, August 7, 8 p.m., Toronto at Columbus (Sportsnet, NBCSN, TVA)
Sunday, August 9, TBD, Columbus at Toronto (TBD)* *If Necessary
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.
It was during Game 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs when cameras caught Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella ignoring social distancing rules as he got in the face of Pierre-Luc Dubois and screamed at him for what seemed like an eternity. Read More
– The 2020 postseason marks the Maple Leafs’ 69th appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Series History
– The Maple Leafs have played a total of 114 series in their previous 68 playoff appearances, winning 58 of them.
Playoff Record
– Toronto has a record of 262-285-4 in 551 franchise playoff games.
Best of Five
– The Toronto franchise (Arenas, St. Pats, Maple Leafs) has played in 15 best-of-five series in its history and have a 7-8 record in that span
Toronto vs. Columbus
– This is the first time the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets have met in a postseason series.
Postseason Experience
– Frederik Andersen, Kasperi Kapanen, Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly have appeared in all 20 postseason games contested by the Maple Leafs since the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, per NHL Stats.
In the Atlantic
– Toronto finished third in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the NHL standings with a record of 36-25-9 (.569 points percentage).
Team Discipline
– The Maple Leafs took the sixth-fewest penalties in the NHL (219) and averaged the third-fewest penalty minutes per game (6.7).
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs finished third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.5%) and tied for second among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Strength
– The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (159).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs have the third fewest power play opportunities (195) among NHL teams that have scored at least 40 power play goals (45).
Penalty Kill
– Toronto was shorthanded 193 times this season, which was the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto had a .774 win percentage when scoring first, which tied for the third highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS NOTABLES
Frederik Andersen
– Stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced in game one. He has allowed one or fewer goals in 12 of his 49 playoff appearances.- Since joining the Maple Leafs in 2016-17, Andersen is 9-12 in 22 Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances. He is tied for eighth among Maple Leafs goalies in all-time playoff wins.
Tyson Barrie
– Averaging 18:34 in ice time and 21.49 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time through two games in the series.- Has appeared in 23 career playoff games and recorded 14 points (one goal, 13 assists).
Jack Campbell
– Could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut this postseason.- Had a 3-2-1 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average after being acquired by the Maple Leafs.- Has made two career appearances against the Blue Jackets and is 1-0-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Cody Ceci
– Has recorded four blocked shots through two games of the series after recording 79 blocked shots in 56 games during the 2019-20 regular season.- Has skated in 27 career playoff games, recording three assists.
Kyle Clifford
– Has appeared in 57 career playoff games and is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014) with the Los Angeles Kings.
Justin Holl
– Leads the Maple Leafs in shorthanded ice time per game (3:47) in the series thus far. – Made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on August 2 vs. Columbus.
Zach Hyman
– Registered his first point of the postseason with an assist in game two. Ranks fourth among Toronto skaters in even-strength time on ice per game (15:38).- Has appeared in 22 career playoff games and recorded nine points (3-7-10).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has drawn a team-high three penalties through two games of the series.- Has appeared in 22 career playoff games and recorded five points (4-1-5).
Alex Kerfoot
– Leads the Maple Leafs in hits with six through two games.- Has appeared in 20 career playoff games and recorded five points (2-3-5).
Mitch Marner
– Had a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 68.1 percent (47 for, 22 against) which leads the Maple Leafs.- Has appeared in 22 career playoff games and recorded 17 career points (5-12-17).
Auston Matthews
– Ranks third among NHL forwards in ice time per game (23:22) through two games of the series.- Had his fourth career multi-point playoff game on August 4 vs. Columbus (1-1-2). – Has skated in 22 career playoff games and recorded 11 goals and four assists.- Per NHL Stats, Matthews’ 11 career playoff goals (20 GP) are tied for the second-most among Maple Leafs before age 23. He trails Ted Kennedy (20 G in 38 GP) and is tied with Wendel Clark (11 G in 23 GP).
William Nylander
– Registered his first point of the postseason with an assist on August 4 vs. Columbus. Has started 65.2 percent of his 5-on-shifts in the offensive zone.- Has recorded three goals and eight assists in 20 career playoff games.
Jason Spezza
– Leads the Maple Leafs in career playoff games (82), goals (25), assists (45) and points (70).
John Tavares
– Recorded his first point of the playoffs with a goal on August 4 vs. Columbus. Leads the Maple Leafs in shots on goal (10) through two games. – Has skated in 33 career playoff games and recorded 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists).
INJURY REPORT
Andreas Johnsson (Knee)
On injured reserve.
Jake Muzzin
Left Toronto’s game on August 4 and has been ruled out for the remainder of the series.
MAPLE LEAFS – BLUE JACKETS FINAL 2019-20 TEAM STATS
Q. (Chris Johnston, Sportsnet): I’m wondering if you could tell us if Jake was taken to hospital and if you have any update on his condition yet?
SHELDON KEEFE: Yeah, he was taken to hospital. I’m told he’s responsive and all of that. Just awaiting his assessment.
Q. (Josh Clipperton, The Canadian Press): Just wondering what the difference was today. You guys were able to generate a lot more. What was the difference from game one?
SHELDON KEEFE: Every game is going to be slightly different, it’s going to have its own personality. Today I thought we forechecked really hard right from the start of the game and some loose pucks became available, gave us an extra opportunity to attack the net. That was a really good sign for us but our guys brought it to another level today from a competitive standpoint and that really helped us in all regards.
Q. (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun): What was happening in the defensive zone that really negated the forecheck that Columbus had in game one? What were you guys doing a lot better today?
SHELDON KEEFE: Well we were doing a better job up ice in their half of the ice. As a result, most of the time when it entered our half of the ice they were in line changes and not forechecking as a full unit. That makes it a lot easier for us. That’s obviously every team’s goal going into a game and today worked out for us there.
Q. (Kevin McGran, Toronto Star): I guess if Jake Muzzin is going to hospital he’s out of the bubble and can’t come back even if he could. What will you have to do without him? What will losing him mean to this team?
SHELDON KEEFE: I’m not really certain on exactly what the protocol is for this situation. There are protocols in place for these types of situations and I’m not exactly certain what the details are. Our focus is and always will be just on his well-being and making sure he’s okay.
Q. (Mark Masters, TSN): Was there any frustration with the fact Korpisalo seemed locked in and you’re getting the chances and you couldn’t find the back of the net? How do you feel the group handled that?
SHELDON KEEFE: I think we handled it well. It was on my mind, of course, just making sure that we stayed with it. I just kept monitoring our bench and monitoring our players’ mannerisms and how they were coming back to the bench. You see guys talking to themselves and I think we were just focused, focused on what we had to do on the ice and staying with it. So that was really good to see. It was not unlike what happened in game one in terms of us just staying with it, but obviously we were generating more today so there was a little bit more happening in and around the net. The goalie was a big difference for them but I really liked how our guys just took a drink of water and got ready for the next shift and stayed with it and believed in what we were doing.
Q. (Ken Campbell, The Hockey News): Mitch [Marner] just said that on the Muzzin play when you guys asked the official what had happened, he said that he was crosschecked. If that’s the case, do you wonder why they don’t call that more in the NHL? It seems like the crosscheck goes so uncalled and that might have been a reason why something like this could have happened.
SHELDON KEEFE: I think the refs are out there doing their best, doing their job and I’ve got to focus on doing my job, which is preparing our team and keeping us ready to go and that moment there was about keeping us focused. A lot of things happen in the game and it’s our job to just play through it.
Q. (Sean Farrell, NHL.com): What has Fred [Andersen’s] play through the first two games meant to the team?
SHELDON KEEFE: It means a great deal. Obviously, goaltender is very important. You’re seeing it on the other side as well with Columbus. He gives us belief in what we’re doing and if we crack, he’s going to be there for us. It’s two excellent games by him here now. Today when we did crack and they had a little bit of a look or a little bit of a push, he was there. He gives our guys even more life and energy.
AUSTON MATTHEWS AND JOHN TAVARES
Q. (Josh Clipperton, The Canadian Press): What’s it like, the feeling of being two minutes away from the win and then seeing a teammate go down like that and just the quietness of the building?
JOHN TAVARES: No question, seeing one of your teammates go down, especially a guy like Muzz, you know the type of warrior he is. I think what he brings to our team is unmeasurable. Obviously, very tough. All signs are very positive being around him and nice to close it out for him, but certainly tough to see, especially how much we love that guy.
Q. (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun): Auston, could I get your thoughts on the goal that you scored and what you were feeling after Korpisalo had stopped the first 55 shots he saw in games one and two?
AUSTON MATTHEWS: Yeah, obviously excitement. It’s postseason, everything is tight out there and goals are hard to come by. It was nice to get that one and kind of jump start a nice push. I thought we played pretty well in the first period and second period and I think we just tried to stick with it. [Hyman] made a great play and I just tried to deflect it towards the net and it just happened to go in.
Q. (Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star): Question for John, earlier on in the first and second period, there were times when you were shaking your head during the power play and casting eyes to the ceiling in disbelief. Can you just contrast that with the celebration on your goal?
JOHN TAVARES: He made some great saves. I thought there was a couple that were deflected and were a little bit more fortunate on his side, but he’s obviously playing really well, he’s a really good goalie. You want to see those go in. I just tried to focus on the next shift, next opportunity. On the goal they really were aggressive and I think both D kind of jumped in and I was our last forward coming back and I kind of saw the play getting broken up so as I saw that, I just kind of anticipate that puck might be coming the other way so I was able to get a good bead on it and lucky enough to get that opportunity and nice to finish it off, especially after some of the chances I had.
Q. (Chris Johnston, Sportsnet): Auston, I’m wondering what the biggest factor was for the team in being able to create so many good looks in this versus the first one?
AUSTON MATTHEWS: I think both games, to be honest, we had some pretty good looks, probably more so tonight. I think just upping our compete level, getting to the net, dirty areas and trying to get on the inside where we can beat guys to the net. I thought we came out with a strong push to start the game and I think just the communication factor was there tonight for us and just full effort throughout the lineup.
Q. (Mark Masters, TSN): John, what allowed you guys to do a better job generating chances off the rush considering how well Columbus usually does against that?
JOHN TAVARES: I think we were just quicker tonight and that’s not just necessarily the way we’re moving our feet but I think just our execution and the way we moved the puck. I thought D did a great job of just handling their forecheck, which they do really well, and then I think as forwards we were just in sync reading off each other and doing good job of, when we had to, getting pucks in behind and getting on the inside and first on those races that allowed us to then set up the next couple of plays to break them down and create some opportunities, some more possessions. Obviously, it was a positive tonight for us, it’s something we have to continue, especially when you expect them to make some adjustments. I like the way we were just in sync and connected today.
Q. (Marty Klinkenberg, The Globe and Mail): In a game like this where you very much dominated but still it’s late in the second and it’s 0-0, does it start to get more tense as you’re playing?
JOHN TAVARES: Certainly those thoughts can creep in, but I think as a team when we’re playing like that I think we have so much belief in each other. I think the type of team we have that eventually it’s going to pay off, we’re going to find a way to break through. Don’t get discouraged and stick with it, we’re playing, we’re doing the things we want to do, we’re creating opportunities. Just sticking with it and not getting discouraged, like I said, just kind of staying one shift at a time. A little cliche but you’re just kind of staying in the moment, waiting for the next opportunity. Great play by [Matthews] to break the ice for us. It was a big goal and something he always does for us. As a team we just kind of fed off one another and he led the way.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN AND MITCH MARNER
Q (Kevin McGran, Toronto Star): Your thoughts on seeing Jake Muzzin go down. He’s been such a warrior for you guys and so close to the end of the game too. What’s going through your head when you’re seeing him lying there in injury and being taken off on a stretcher?
FREDERIK ANDERSEN: Yeah it’s difficult. Seeing a guy like Jake that everyone cares about, he’s well loved in the locker room. Being as tough as he is it’s really hard to see him being told to lay down and not move. We’re really just thinking about him and making sure all the right steps are being taken and hopefully he recovers soon.
MITCH MARNER: Yeah, just like Freddie said, he’s a big part of this team, penalty kill, even-strength against the best players against the other teams. He really does mean a lot to us. Being beside him there when he went down and stayed down, obviously it’s a little worrisome and to see the stretcher come out, a lot of things running through your mind. Like Freddie said we’re all on his side, we’re all praying for him and just want to make sure when he does come back he’s 100 percent. There are a lot bigger things than hockey.
Q (Josh Clipperton, Canadian Press): For Freddie, what are you thinking when you’re seeing the guy at the other stop shot after shot? I think it was the 55th or 56th shot that they finally found a way through. What’s your mindset when you see the other guy doing that?
FREDERIK ANDERSEN: Just keep doing what I’m doing. What happens in their end is useless to think about. Just keep doing what I can do and be ready for when they do come. They’re putting a hell of a pressure on him and both games I think we’ve had the puck a lot and obviously been playing well, but I think we did a better job of getting in and getting second chances and having confidence in guys being able to score.
Q. (Jonas Siegel, The Athletic): Mitch, you were right there with Jake. When did you realize something wasn’t right?
MITCH MARNER: I just remember clearing the puck, I remember kind of turning over and seeing him on the ground. Kind of saw him get up on all fours. At this time I think the puck just exit, I was still kind of standing beside him and then I realized after drawing up to the blueline to try and stop them from entering, they dumped it in and hit the ref. At that point he was back down, full lying down. I just kind of skated over to him, I just asked him if he was okay. Obviously, he just kind of said, just give him a second and a couple of other things that doesn’t matter, it’ll stay between us. Like I said, we just want to make sure all the right things are happening to make sure he’s back to being 100 percent. He’s a big part of this team. Hopefully he recovers quickly. Like I said, there’s a lot bigger things than hockey, especially outside this world and his family is a major priority. You’ve got to make sure you’re able to still play with your kids.
Q. (Mark Masters, TSN): What was it like reuniting with Auston and how did you feel your game grew in today’s game versus game one?
MITCH MARNER: For myself I think I was just a lot more competitive with the puck, on the puck, a lot more dialed into my battles and being better consistently all over the ice. I think we worked the puck nicely around, we were using our speed, something we’re going to have to just keep doing and keep using our speed coming through the middle and supporting each other. The chemistry kind of just kicked right back with [Hyman] as well and we were making plays, we’ve just got to find ways to get around these guys trying to block our shots.
Q. (Ken Campbell, The Hockey News): Mitch, I just wanted to ask you as a forward out there who’s in the thick of the battle, that hit on Jake Muzzin was a crosscheck from behind. It was a fairly innocuous one but still a crosscheck from behind that seems to go uncalled almost all the time in this league now. Do you think the League has to do more about crosschecking now? A couple of years ago it was the casual slash and now they’re cracking down on that. Do you think they need to crack down on the crosscheck?
MITCH MARNER: It’s hard for me to say at this moment. I was beside [Muzzin] when the play happened and I was turning and shooting it while he was coming down so I haven’t seen the actual play yet. I think the player’s off two to three feet from the boards and a crosscheck does happen, usually it doesn’t matter how good you are on your feet, there’s a possible chance of you going head first into the boards. It’s always a scary incident. Like I said, I have not seen that play yet, reviewed or on my phone or anything like that, but we were asking the refs and their response was just he got pushed, he got crosschecked, he hit one other player and that’s how it all happened. I think usually when a player is two or three feet from the wall, that’s when the dangerous stuff happens and the injuries come in part. Like I said, I haven’t seen it, we’ll leave it to the League to discuss what they think is necessary.
Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs at 16:00 of the second period and later had the primary assist on Morgan Rielly’s third period goal. Today’s game is his fourth career multi-point game in the playoffs. He recorded a career-high 47 goals in 70 games during the 2019-20 regular season to finish the year with 80 points (47 goals, 33 assists). In 22 career playoff games, Matthews has recorded 11 goals and four assists for 15 points. His 11 career playoff goals are tied for the second-most in franchise history by a skater before the age of 23 (Wendel Clark, 11 G in 23 GP).
John Tavares scored Toronto’s second goal of the night at 4:56 of the third period. Tavares’ goal is his first point of the 2020 postseason. In 63 games during the 2019-20 season, he recorded 26 goals and 34 assists. He has 14 goals and 14 assists in 33 career playoff games.
Morgan Rielly scored the third Maple Leafs goal of the game into an empty net at 19:17 of the third period. Rielly’s goal is his first point of the playoffs. He recorded 27 points (3-24-27) in 47 games during the regular season. In 22 career playoff games, Rielly has registered 16 points (3-13-16).
Zach Hyman registered the lone assist on Matthews’ second period goal. Hyman’s assist is his first point of the 2020 playoffs. In 51 regular season games, he recorded 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists). He has 10 points (3-7-10) in 22 career playoff games.
Travis Dermott recorded the primary assist on Tavares’ third period goal. Dermott’s assist is his first point of the playoffs. He has 12 points (4-8-12) in 56 games during the 2019-20 season. In 16 career playoff games, Dermott has registered two goals and three assists.
William Nylander collected the secondary assist on Tavares’ third period goal. Nylander’s assist is his first point of the postseason. He had 59 points (31 goals, 28 assists) in 68 games during the regular season. In 22 career playoff games, he has recorded three goals and nine assists for 12 points.
Alex Kerfoot had the secondary assist on Rielly’s empty net goal. Kerfoot’s assist is his first point of the playoffs. He had 28 points (9-19-28) in 65 games this season. In 20 career playoff games, he has recorded six points (2-4-6).
Frederik Andersen stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn the victory. The win is his third career postseason shutout and first with the Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs went 4-for-4 on the penalty kill and 0-for-5 on the power play tonight.
Pierre Engvall made his Stanley Cup playoff debut.
Auston Matthews was on the ice for a team-high 24 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5. He finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 72.7 percent (24 for, 9 against).
Jake Muzzin left tonight’s game due to injury.
John Tavares won 80 percent (4 won, 1 lost) of his defensive zone faceoffs.
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
Shots
8 (Tavares)
Shot Attempts
12 (Marner)
Faceoff Wins
11 (Tavares)
Faceoff Win Percentage
67% (Hyman)
Hits
3 (Kerfoot, Muzzin)
Blocked Shots
3 (Muzzin)
Takeaways
1 (Marner, Matthews, Muzzin)
TOI
24:37 (Rielly)
Power Play TOI
7:41 (Matthews)
Shorthanded TOI
5:01 (Holl)
Shifts
31 (Rielly)
5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage
75.0% (Marner – 21 for, 7 against)
UPCOMING GAMES:
Thursday, August 6, 8 p.m., Toronto at Columbus (TBD)
Friday, August 7, TBD, Toronto at Columbus (TBD)
Sunday, August 9, TBD, Columbus at Toronto (TBD)* *If Necessary
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.
– The 2020 postseason marks the Maple Leafs’ 69th appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Series History
– The Maple Leafs have played a total of 114 series in their previous 68 playoff appearances, winning 58 of them.
Playoff Record
– Toronto has a record of 262-285-4 in 551 franchise playoff games.
Best of Five
– The Toronto franchise (Arenas, St. Pats, Maple Leafs) has played in 15 best-of-five series in its history and have a 7-8 record in that span
Toronto vs. Columbus
– This is the first time the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets have met in a postseason series.
Postseason Experience
– Frederik Andersen, Kasperi Kapanen, Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly have appeared in all 20 postseason games contested by the Maple Leafs since the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, per NHL Stats.
In the Atlantic
– Toronto finished third in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the NHL standings with a record of 36-25-9 (.569 points percentage).
Team Discipline
– The Maple Leafs took the sixth-fewest penalties in the NHL (219) and averaged the third-fewest penalty minutes per game (6.7).
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs finished third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.5%) and tied for second among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Strength
– The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (159).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs have the third fewest power play opportunities (195) among NHL teams that have scored at least 40 power play goals (45).
Penalty Kill
– Toronto was shorthanded 193 times this season, which was the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto had a .774 win percentage when scoring first, which tied for the third highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS NOTABLES
Frederik Andersen
– Stopped 33 of the 34 shots he faced in game one. He has allowed one or fewer goals in 12 of his 49 playoff appearances.- Since joining the Maple Leafs in 2016-17, Andersen is 8-12 in 21 Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances. Only nine goaltenders have recorded more postseason wins in a Toronto uniform.
Tyson Barrie
– Had four shots on goal and seven shot attempts in game one vs. Columbus in 19:13 of ice time.- Has appeared in 22 career playoff games and recorded 14 points (one goal, 13 assists).
Jack Campbell
– Could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut this postseason.- Had a 3-2-1 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average after being acquired by the Maple Leafs.- Has made two career appearances against the Blue Jackets and is 1-0-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Cody Ceci
– Tied for the Maple Leaf lead in blocked shots (3) in game one.- Has skated in 26 career playoff games, recording three assists.
Kyle Clifford
– Has appeared in 56 career playoff games and is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014) with the Los Angeles Kings.
Justin Holl
– Played 21:41 in ice time in game one, leading all skaters in shorthanded ice time (2:33).- Made his Stanley Cup playoff debut on August 2 vs. Columbus.
Zach Hyman
– Played 21:21 in game one of the series, which is his highest ice time in a playoff game that ended in regulation.- Has appeared in 21 career playoff games and recorded nine points (3-6-9).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Led the Maple Leafs in hits (4) in game one against Columbus.- Has appeared in 21 career playoff games and recorded five points (4-1-5).
Alex Kerfoot
– Tied for the team lead with three blocked shots in game one.- Has appeared in 19 career playoff games and recorded five points (2-3-5).
Mitch Marner
– Had a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 63.4 percent (26 for, 11 against) which leads the Maple Leafs.- Has appeared in 21 career playoff games and recorded 17 career points (5-12-17).
Auston Matthews
– Led the Maple Leafs in ice time (24:38) and shots on goal (6) in game one. Won 64.7 percent (11 won, 6 lost) of his faceoffs.- Has skated in 21 career playoff games and recorded 10 goals and three assists.- Per NHL Stats, Matthews’ 10 career playoff goals (20 GP) is the third-most among Maple Leafs before age 23. He trails Ted Kennedy (20 G in 38 GP) and Wendel Clark (11 G in 23 GP).
William Nylander
– Played 21:51 in game one against the Blue Jackets.- Has recorded three goals and eight assists in 20 career playoff games.
Jason Spezza
– Leads the Maple Leafs in career playoff games (81), goals (25), assists (45) and points (70).
John Tavares
– Won 79 percent (15 won, 4 lost) of his faceoffs in game one, which is the highest percentage among playoff skaters who took over 10 draws.- Has skated in 32 career playoff games and recorded 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists).
INJURY REPORT
Andreas Johnsson (Knee)
On injured reserve.
MAPLE LEAFS – BLUE JACKETS FINAL 2019-20 TEAM STATS
The Maple Leafs went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill and 0-for-1 on the power play tonight.
Justin Holl made his Stanley Cup playoff debut.
Auston Matthews won 75 percent (6 won, 2 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs. He was 4-for-6 (67%) on the draw when matched up with Columbus centre Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Ilya Mikheyev made his Stanley Cup playoff debut.
Nick Robertson made his Stanley Cup playoff debut. He is the fifth Maple Leaf in franchise history to appear in a postseason game with the Maple Leafs at age 18 or younger and the first since the 1940s, per NHL Stats.
John Tavares was on the ice for a team-high 29 Toronto shot attempts-for at 5-on-5. He finished the game with a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 60.4 percent (29 for, 19 against).
John Tavares won 70 percent (7 won, 3 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs. He was 8-for-10 (80%) in the faceoff circle when matched up with Columbus centre Alexander Wennberg.
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
Shots
6 (Matthews)
Shot Attempts
8 (Matthews)
Faceoff Wins
15 (Tavares)
Faceoff Win Percentage
79% (Tavares)
Hits
4 (Kapanen)
Blocked Shots
3 (Ceci, Kerfoot)
Takeaways
3 (Matthews)
TOI
24:38 (Matthews)
Power Play TOI
1:32 (Five players tied)
Shorthanded TOI
2:33 (Holl)
Shifts
26 (Five players tied)
5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage
63.4% (Marner – 26 for, 15 against)
UPCOMING GAMES:
Tuesday, August 4, 4 p.m., Columbus at Toronto (SN, NBCSN, TVA Sports)
Thursday, August 6, TBD, Toronto at Columbus (TBD)
Friday, August 7, TBD, Toronto at Columbus (TBD)*
Sunday, August 9, TBD, Columbus at Toronto (TBD)* *If Necessary
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.
– The 2020 postseason marks the Maple Leafs’ 69th appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Series History
– The Maple Leafs have played a total of 114 series in their previous 68 playoff appearances, winning 58 of them.
Playoff Record
– Toronto has a record of 262-285-4 in 551 franchise playoff games.
Best of Five
– The Toronto franchise (Arenas, St. Pats, Maple Leafs) has played in 15 best-of-five series in its history and have a 7-8 record in that span
Toronto vs. Columbus
– This is the first time the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets have met in a postseason series.
Postseason Experience
– Frederik Andersen, Kasperi Kapanen, Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly have appeared in all 20 postseason games contested by the Maple Leafs since the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, per NHL Stats.
In the Atlantic
– Toronto finished third in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the NHL standings with a record of 36-25-9 (.569 points percentage).
Team Discipline
– The Maple Leafs took the sixth-fewest penalties in the NHL (219) and averaged the third-fewest penalty minutes per game (6.7).
Faceoffs
– The Maple Leafs finished third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.5%) and tied for second among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (54.0%).
Goals by Strength
– The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (159).
Power Play
– The Maple Leafs have the third fewest power play opportunities (195) among NHL teams that have scored at least 40 power play goals (45).
Penalty Kill
– Toronto was shorthanded 193 times this season, which was the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL.
Scoring First
– Toronto had a .774 win percentage when scoring first, which tied for the third highest in the NHL.
MAPLE LEAFS – BLUE JACKETS FINAL 2019-20 TEAM STATS
TORONTO
COLUMBUS
GOALS FOR (Rank):
237 (2nd)
180 (t-28th)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):
222 (25th)
183 (t-3rd)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):
45/195 [23.8%] (6th)
31/189 [16.4%] (27th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):
150/193 [77.7%] (21st)
138/169 [81.7%] (12th)
SHOTS (Rank):
2302 (4th)
2272 (6th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):
3466 (3rd)
3133 (14th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):
52.0% (6th)
49.2% (19th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):
52.5% (3rd)
48.5% (26th)
MAPLE LEAFS 2019-20 LEADERS
CATEGORY
LEADER
GOALS
47 (Matthews)
ASSISTS
51 (Marner)
POINTS
80 (Matthews)
POWER PLAY POINTS
25 (Matthews)
SHORTHANDED POINTS
2 (Engvall, Kapanen)
PIMs
43 (Holl)
SHOTS
290 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%
55.3% (Tavares)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %
54.6% (Nylander)
BLOCKED SHOTS
110 (Muzzin)
TAKEAWAYS
78 (Matthews)
HITS
109 (Muzzin)
TOI PER GAME
24:12 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME
3:13 (Marner)
SH TOI PER GAME
2:50 (Ceci)
MAPLE LEAFS NOTABLES
Frederik Andersen
– Since joining the Maple Leafs in 2016-17, Andersen is 8-11 in 20 Stanley Cup Playoffs appearances. Only nine goaltenders have recorded more postseason wins in a Toronto uniform.- Fourth among NHL goaltenders in wins (29).- Fourth in the NHL in saves (1,434).- Is 6-2-3 in 11 career games against Columbus with a .918 save percentage and a 2.79 goals-against average.
Tyson Barrie
– Has appeared in 21 career playoff games and recorded 14 points (one goal, 13 assists).- Had eight multi-assist games, which was tied for the fourth-most among NHL defencemen.- Finished 2019-20 tied for third among NHL defencemen in multi-point games (12). – Averaged 14.26 shot attempts per game at 5-on-5, which was the sixth-highest average among NHL defencemen who played in at least 50 games.- Ranked 19th among NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 time on ice per game (18:12).
Jack Campbell
– Could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut this postseason.- Had a 3-2-1 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average after being acquired by the Maple Leafs.- Has made two career appearances against the Blue Jackets and is 1-0-1 with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.
Kyle Clifford
– Has appeared in 55 career playoff games with the Los Angeles Kings and is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2012, 2014).- Finished 10th among NHL left wingers who have appeared in 50 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (53.6%). – Averagesd14.85 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranked 18th among left wingers.- Averaged 10.33 hits per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranked 32nd among NHL skaters.
Pierre Engvall
– Could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut this postseason.- Was fifth among NHL rookie forwards who appeared in 40 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.0%). – Had an on-ice goals-for percentage of 52.6 percent at 5-on-5, which was the seventh highest among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 40 games.- Ranked third among rookie forwards who skated in 40 games in 5-on-5 shot attempts per 60 minutes (14.08).
Justin Holl
– Could make his Stanley Cup playoff debut this postseason.- Started the eighth-lowest percentage of 5-on-5 shifts (42.3%) in the offensive zone among right-handed defencemen.- Ranked second in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.8%) among NHL defencemen who have started less than 45 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (42.3%).- Had the highest unblocked shot attempt percentage at 5-on-5 (52.6%) among NHL defencemen to have started fewer than 45 percent (42.0%) of their shifts in the offensive zone.
Zach Hyman
– Has appeared in 20 career playoff games and recorded nine points (3-6-9).- Tied his career-high for goals in a season (21).- Ranked fifth among Maple Leafs skaters in points per game (0.73).- Finished the 2019-20 season tied for third among Toronto forwards in even-strength time on ice per game (16:08).- Ranked third among Toronto forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:52).
Kasperi Kapanen
– Has appeared in 20 career playoff games and recorded five points (4-1-5).- Drew 20 penalties this season and took eight, which gave him the highest net penalties among Toronto skaters (+12) and ranked tied for 14th among NHL forwards.- Fourth among Maple Leafs and 19th among NHL right wingers who appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.19) at 5-on-5.
Alex Kerfoot
– Has appeared in 18 career playoff games with the Colorado Avalanche and recorded five points (2-3-5)- Ranked second among Toronto skaters who appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.22) at 5-on-5.- Ranked eighth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (8-17-25).- Was tied for second among Maple Leafs in primary assists at 5-on-5 (11).
Mitch Marner
– Has appeared in 20 career playoff games and recorded 17 career points (5-12-17).- Leads Maple Leafs players with 17 postseason points since 2017 (5-12-17 in 20 GP), per NHL Stats.- Was tied for ninth among NHL skaters in assists (51).- Had 13 multi-assist games, which was tied for the sixth-most among NHL skaters.- Averaged 1.12 points per game, which was the 17th-highest average in the NHL.- Averaged 1.69 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranked 14th among NHLers who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Was tied for ninth in the NHL with 32 primary assists.
Auston Matthews
– Per NHL Stats, Matthews’ 10 career playoff goals (20 GP) is the third-most among Maple Leafs before age 23. He trails Ted Kennedy (20 G in 38 GP) and Wendel Clark (11 G in 23 GP). – Ranked third among NHL skaters in goals (47).- Finished tied for first in the NHL with 35 even-strength goals.- Led the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (30).- Was tied for first in the NHL in wrist shot goals (28).- Finished tied for second in the NHL in multi-goal games (10).- Ranked seventh in the NHL in multi-point games (25).- Was ninth among NHL skaters in points (47-33-80).- Ranked fourth in the NHL with 290 shots on goal.
William Nylander
– Has recorded three goals and eight assists in 20 career playoff games.- Established a new career-high for goals (31), which was tied for 15th in the NHL in goals scored.- Led the Maple Leafs and was tied for fifth among NHLers in game-winning goals (7).- Was tied for 14th in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (19).- Ranked sixth among NHL forwards who averaged 14:00 per game (14:29) in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.6%).
Jason Spezza
– Leads the Maple Leafs in career playoff games (80), goals (25), assists (45) and points (70).- Averaged 1.98 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which was the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters who appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaged 0.77 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranked fifth among Maple Leafs who appeared in at least 50 games.- Averaged 1.21 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which was tied for the third-highest average among Toronto skaters.
John Tavares
– Has skated in 31 career playoff games and recorded 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists).- Finished tied for 20th among NHL skaters in multi-point games (18).- Ranked 10th among NHL centres in 5-on-5 ice time per game (15:26).- Ranked 14th in the NHL in faceoff wins (617)- Has recorded 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 27 career games against Columbus, which is tied for the 16th most points against the Blue Jackets among active NHLers.
Judging by rink board adverts, the Columbus Blue Jackets will have plenty of Ohio-sourced gas and groceries for the playoffs against Toronto. They certainly had more get-up-n’-go than the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, and lots of grind in case the Maple Leafs didn’t know they’ll be handful in Game 1 of the best-of-five qualifier […]
Fast out of the gate never has been a consistent hallmark of Frederik Andersen.
If the National Hockey League’s return to play plans fall into place in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the Maple Leafs clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round, one of the more crucial factors involving the Leafs will be whether Andersen can buck a career trend.
The 30-year-old Andersen usually has required some time to find his stride from the beginning of the season, with the month of October serving as a period to get the kinks out.
Andersen’s combined numbers in October through the first seven seasons of his NHL career — the past four with Toronto after three with the Anaheim Ducks — add up to a record of 30-19-7 in 57 games with a .911 save percentage and a 2.69 goals-against average. Last October, Andersen was 6-2-2, but had a save percentage of .901 and a 3.03 goals-against average. That’s well below Andersen’s career save percentage of .917.
Has Andersen traditionally been terrible in the opening month? We wouldn’t go that far, but he has not been spectacular either. In a best-of-five series against Columbus, there won’t be a choice for Andersen: He’s going to have to be at his best, even taking into account the Blue Jackets don’t score a lot of goals (they were tied for third-fewest in the NHL with 180 during the 2019-20 regular season), from the opening faceoff.
There won’t be the luxury of time for Andersen to find a groove, which he usually does in the regular season, as his career .928 save percentage in November is his personal best in any month.
Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno summed up in general terms last week the importance of being locked in from the moment the puck is dropped to begin Game 1.
“The advantage is going to be huge if you can get out on top early,” Foligno said. “I think that’s going to be a mindset of ours.”
One factor that could work in the Leafs’ favour is the presence of Jack Campbell behind Andersen. We would figure coach Sheldon Keefe wouldn’t hesitate to go to Campbell if Andersen falters, a legitimate option the Leafs have not had at No. 2 since Curtis McElhinney was lost on waivers in October 2018.
Campbell played in just six games with the Leafs after being acquired from Los Angeles on Feb. 5, but quickly became popular with his new teammates with his enthusiastic approach and ability to stop the puck. Something to keep in mind, perhaps — Campbell has never played in an NHL playoff game.
While we would argue that in the bigger picture Andersen’s overall experience should give the Leafs an advantage in goal, Columbus wouldn’t be entering the series with concerns in net. Despite losing Sergei Bobrovsky to the Florida Panthers in free agency last summer, the Jackets didn’t suffer in the crease, as Joonas Korpisalo and rookie Elvis Merzlikins shone.
Korpisalo made the Metropolitan Division team for the 2020 NHL all-star game but could not take part because of a knee injury. Merzlikins stepped in and was excellent, recording five shutouts in eight starts between Jan. 11 and Feb. 7. Merzlikins’ .923 save percentage in 33 games was best among NHL rookies who played in at least 20 games.
After he signed a two-year contract in April, Korpisalo indicated the competition to be the Jackets’ No. 1 goalie going forward would be intense.
“I’ve been fighting for my spot for a while in my career, so it’s nothing new,” Korpisalo said at the time. “It has been a lot of fun with Elvis. It doesn’t matter who plays, we support each other.”
Merzlikins and Korpisalo backed a stifling defence in Columbus in 70 games during the abbreviated regular season, one that limited the opposition to 187 goals, tied for third-fewest in the NHL. Neither has played in an NHL playoff game. Andersen has 48 on his resume.
What will be similar for any of the goaltenders potentially involved in the series will be the preparation time. Too many months will have elapsed since the end of the regular season for anything to carry forward (positive or negative), and it’s going to be a fresh slate for all of them once Phase 3 starts with full training camp (which the NHL said this week will not be before July 10).
Andersen told reporters earlier during the pause that part of his daily ritual during the downtime was keeping himself “mentally in the game.”
Once the series begins (we’re all hopeful that it will), Andersen is going to have to be at the top of his game mentally and physically — and without having had to worry about load management, that should not be a challenge.
There won’t be time for Andersen to get into a rhythm.
With the news — which was expected — on Tuesday afternoon that the 2019-20 National Hockey League regular season is over, Auston Matthews’ charge for the Leafs’ franchise goal-scoring mark will have to wait until the 2020-21 season. Vaive’s 54 goals in 1981-82 will remain the most in team history.
When the NHL went on pause on March 12, Matthews had 47 goals in 70 games, with 50 a true probability and a shot at Vaive’s record perhaps a little more difficult.
Matthews will score 50 at some point, and we would bet he eventually breaks Vaive’s record. And not that Matthews would require it, but he can take solace in the fact he led the Leafs in scoring with 80 points, the first time since he was an NHL rookie in 2016-17 that he finished a season as the Leafs’ scoring champ. In the two seasons in between, Mitch Marner led the Leafs in scoring. Count on one of the two finishing atop the Leafs for the foreseeable future.
Anyway, the confirmation of the conclusion of the regular season was one of several highlights in NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s return-to-play announcements from the comfort of his own home on Tuesday. In a following interview on the Tim & Sid Show on Sportsnet, Bettman said there’s “light at the end of the tunnel” for the NHL as it puts plans in place to return in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
It’s expected the NHL will begin Phase 2 of the return to play in early June, with players moving back to their home facilities for voluntary, small-group, on- and off-ice training.
Phase 3, if the green light is given by medical and civil authorities, would include formal training camps, but not earlier than the first half of July.
Phase 4 would include what players and fans have been pining for since the NHL went on pause on March 12: The competition for the Stanley Cup with 12 teams in two hub cities, of which Toronto remains one of 10 in contention.
Bettman stressed the health and safety of players and club personnel was paramount, and the timing for the start of Phase 4 is to be determined.
Of course, the plans to return to play are at the whim of the coronavirus. It could be that we don’t see the NHL again until the start of the 2020-21 season, and there’s no certainty as to when that would be.
Let’s assume the NHL’s plans fall into place as the league hopes, even if there are moving dates on the calendar.
Toronto ended the season with a record of 36-25-9 for 81 points, including going 27-15-5 under Sheldon Keefe after the firing of Mike Babcock last November.
The Leafs, seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference based on points percentage, indeed, would play the ninth-seed Columbus Blue Jackets in the play-in qualifying round, with the best-of-five representing the first post-season matchup of the teams.
To put it simply, the series would pit the Leafs’ high-octane offence (their 3.39 goals a game was third in the NHL) against the Blue Jackets’ stifling, nose-to-the-grindstone defence (their 2.61 goals-against a game tied for third-fewest in the NHL).
We wouldn’t want to take anything away from Keefe, but the Jackets would have an edge behind the bench in coach John Tortorella, considering his NHL experience compared to Keefe (1,327), but we would take Frederik Andersen over Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo in goal.
Both teams would be close to full health, and for Toronto, getting defenceman Jake Muzzin and forward Ilya Mikheyev, who were injured when the season was paused, back for the penalty-kill would be crucial.
The Leafs and Jackets were to play each other on March 21 for the third and final time of the season. They met twice, with each team winning once, but not since Oct. 21.
Individually, the Leafs had some good things going for them when play was halted. Matthews was Matthews; Marner wound up with 67 points in 59 games, and captain John Tavares finished with 60 points in 63 games, giving him 148 in 145 in his first two seasons with Toronto. William Nylander and Zach Hyman shone, and Rasmus Sandin was taking steps on the blue line.
The final dozen games, record-wise, summed up the Leafs’ season to a degree. There were inconsistencies as they went 6-5-1, winning their final game against Tampa Bay after going 0-2-1 on a three-game trip through California that produced only three goals.
We buy into what many players have said during the past two months — that teams that are the youngest and most-skilled would have the best shot out of the gate. The Leafs would glide effortlessly into that category.
Now let’s keep our fingers crossed that the NHL positives revealed on Tuesday become reality in the coming months.
John Tortorella sure knows how to put on a show. The Blue Jackets head coach, who’s notorious for his feisty postgame rants, lost his cool after Columbus’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. And he placed the blame for the loss directly on the officials. Tortorella was unhappy about how the officials…
The view from left field 