First Period

A boring period can still be a good period and can still have three goals in it. This one was boring, not really because of lack of offence, but because everyone looked like they were skating on molasses. The Leafs have an excuse, the Rangers do not.

John Tavares gave us all a break from guys trying to butt-hit each other.

More good stuff from Jake McCabe:

After one it was 2-1 Leafs.

Yeah, that's a good period. And the Leafs were fine on their one power play, they just didn't score.

Second Period

The Rangers looked like they sharpened their skates and started moving in this period, but it didn't really help them, but they did strike first in the first minute and a half:

Tavares got it back quickly:

After two it was 4-2 Leafs.

The Rangers staged a big comeback, but...

That's terrible offence.

Third Period

The Leafs played a primarily defensive game with a lot of bottom-six minutes. They aren't doing that just because of the back-to-back, but because limiting top-six minutes down the stretch is just good thinking.

Matt Knies took a slashing call at the halfway point.

The only meaningful shot in the power play was Mika Zibanejad hitting Stolarz right in the mask. The Leafs PK was good.

Rangers finally got the puck with under three minutes to go and they pulled Shesterkin.

Stolarz with some key saves.

Leafs had to ice the puck to get a breather. This was the most life the Rangers had all game, and the Leafs six-on-five woes continued. The Rangers took their timeout.

The Rangers scored with 30 seconds left to make it 4-3.

Matthews just missed on an ENG.

Rangers were never really in this game despite the score:

Final score was 4-3 Leafs. Next game is Saturday in Nashville.

Game Coverage