So that's a new lineup. We'll see if those defence pairings are real by ice time. Jani Hakanpää has played two games in the AHL since March 16.

First Period

The Leafs did not start well, and in a way, neither did the Capitals. They had a lot of shots, but no good ones. Their first good shot went right in the net, however.

Leafs got one back quickly.

Then the Leafs fell into the doldrums again where they couldn't keep the puck, get it back when they lost it or do anything with it if they had it. Another Capitals goal was not a surprise.

Score after one was 2-1 Washington.

Flatline city, fairly reminiscent of another recent game.

So far the defence pairings are mostly real, with Hakanpää missing one shift with Rielly in favour of Conor Timmins.

Second Period

Well, they tried to be better. The Leafs upped their very cold pace to something like tepid, but Washington did all the pucks in net part of the period.

John Carlson put the puck in the net, but it was called back.

Refs went through the double minor and review process on this and realized their mistake. No penalty.

This goal was real.

The defending was unreal.

Leafs yanked the Corsi % down from 78 to 62 with that effort. Go Leafs, keep it up and by the end of the game you might be even.

After two the score was 3-1 Washington.

Hakanpää is now the least used defender at five-on-five, and second last in all-situations while still playing almost exclusively with Rielly. Rielly just takes shifts with other players. Never believe the lineup card!

Third Period

Nick Dowd did not come out for the third period.

The Leafs played a lot harder, and better in this period. They rotated through the top six twice to start the third, and kept up the tilted usage.

The fourth line almost never played, but did eventually get a goal that went in off of Steven Lorentz's leg. It was ruled that he propelled it in with his leg, so no goal.

Another view:

And the relevant rule:

37.3 Goal Situations Subject to Video Review – The following situations are subject to review by the NHL Situation Room:
d) With the use of a foot/skate, was a “distinct kicking motion” evident?
(e) Puck deliberately directed, batted, or thrown into the net by an attacking Player by any means (and with any part of his body) other than with his stick;

Situation room:

Type of Review: Batted Puck
Result: Call on the ice is overturned - No Goal Toronto
Explanation: Video review determined Toronto’s Steven Lorentz used his leg to deliberately direct the puck into the Washington net. According to Rule 78.5 (i), apparent goals shall be disallowed, “When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick. When this occurs, if it is deemed to be done deliberately, then the decision shall be NO GOAL. A goal cannot be scored when the puck has been deliberately batted with any part of the attacking player’s body into the net.”

Matt Knies and William Nylander made it a close game:

And then Knies tips one in with his stick and it's called back on a high stick which is... uh....

Marner tied it up! And this one counts.

Score after three was 3-3.

What went wrong (before all the goal review controversy which everyone can yell about for years)? This was a disaster of puck control, or lack thereof. It wasn't quite the doom-laden affair of the Ottawa game, but there was very little dangerous offence because there was very little offence at all.

The third period saw effective net-front action, but the painfully awkward passes and easily disrupted plays continued, particularly early in the period. Hakanpää doing more shooting than most forwards is also very concerning.

The Leafs totally got even in Corsi% by the end of regulation, but more importantly they stayed in the game until they were in the game. They brushed off all the review drama and got on with the job. Which is what marked the big maturing of this team a couple of years ago.

Overtime

I have now seen David Kämpf pin down an NHL team at three-on-three for a very long time.

Leafs had the puck for three minutes until Washington got it and Woll made the save.

Johnny! OMG, that's the hardest he's skated in years.

Leafs win! 4-3 the final score.

Remember there is no undeserved in hockey.

Next game is Saturday at home to Edmonton, and this third period is a thing to build on for that contest.

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