The Kings remixed their defence for this game, and also had to go with the backup, old friend Dave Rittich.
The Leafs have John Tavares and William Nylander who are both some level of recovered from illness in the game. Nylander playing third-line wing seems like a nod to his level of health.
First Period
The Leafs show well in their only power play and better on their only kill.
And then the scoring started:
I've seen this McMann-Matthews show before. It's good.
Kings woke up and put some serious work in after the Leafs got that lead. They won't be this easy to score on in the second. On the other hand the score is 3-0 Leafs.
Second Period
Anthony Stolarz was the only player for the Leafs for most of the first half of the period.
Morgan Rielly joined him eventually.
LA took a puck over glass penalty, and the Leafs had an epic amount of trouble trying to get setup where every pass was picked off. Very stinky power play, and some good defending by the Kings.
Timothy Liljegren gave the Leafs a chance to feel good about special teams by putting them on the PK.
The Kings put Pheonix Copley in to see if he could... cope better.
The first serious Leafs pressure since the goal draws a penalty.
There is an actual zone entry on the resulting power play and Nylander makes no mistake.
The Kings really did give it all they had this period. All situations so you can see how often anyone shot on the power play.
What they got for their trouble was two goals against and six minutes spent on special teams – their power play was hideous.
5-0 Leafs.
Third Period
In what should not be a surprise, the Kings got one back early. Early in the period, that is, about three goals after they were due.
The Kings came back with pressure and the Leafs get a penalty.
The King got Stolarz down and out and in it goes.
Kings drew another penalty and, not that it matters, the Leafs can't get out of the defensive zone anyway. Okay, Mitch Marner can on the PK.
Leafs get a power play to close out most of the final minutes, and decide to add to the lead.
In general, the Leafs played an extremely low-event style, in everything but goals, that is, and when you score that many so early, maybe you just don't need to look much deeper for meaning.
Final score 6-2 Leafs. Next game is Saturday at home to the Rangers.
See you then!