TORONTO — It was a game that was set to showcase the Maple Leafs finally getting healthy, with “only” three players left on injured reserve after a run where they had as many as half a dozen absences for weeks. It became a good example of overcoming more adversity — a first-period injury to early-season MVP Anthony Stolarz — and grinding out a 3-2 win over a hapless Anaheim Ducks team Thursday night. Advertisement Was it perfect? No.
But it marked a step forward after five games where the Leafs really weren’t at their best, including a bizarre overtime win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday where Stolarz’s heroics stole them 2 points. Here are a few observations of what I’m seeing from the Leafs of late and what to expect as they head into a very busy stretch with six games in 10 days before the Christmas roster freeze. How you like them apples?? 🍎🍎 pic.
twitter.com/nZ8CKON8Ru — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 13, 2024 1. One key reason the Leafs improved against Anaheim The Ducks are playing a bunch of kids throughout the lineup and are the fourth-worst team in the NHL , but it was still a positive that the Leafs won the territorial battle after some very tough outings on that front lately.
Consider that the Leafs owned only 42.2 percent possession and 38.5 percent of the expected goals at five-on-five over their last five games (30th and 31st in the league), compared to 48.
8 and 51.9 (20th and 11th) through the first two months of the se.
