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Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL
ice Hockey
Posted on March 19, 2023 • 5 minutes read
The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate a goal by center Calle Jarnkrok (19) in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Center on Saturday night. Photo by Marc DesRosiers/USA TODAY Sports
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There never seems to be a dull moment in the Battle of Ontario.
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And forget that barring a late-season charge and a collapse by a handful of teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings, the Ottawa Senators won’t make the playoffs.
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The Maple Leafs and Senators wrote another exciting chapter for their respective fan bases on Saturday night in Ottawa when the Leafs emerged victorious in a 5-4 shootout.
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The shooting felt like it could go on forever, and it almost did. It wasn’t until the ninth round that it was decided when Alex Kerfoot, who hadn’t scored in 24 games, slid the puck across the ice between goalie Mads Sogaard’s legs. Just before that, Matt Murray, the Leafs’ hero of the night, had denied Jakob Chychrun.
It was Murray’s first game in Ottawa since the Leafs acquired him in a trade from the Sens last summer, and the veteran netminder put on one of his best performances of the season.
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The Leafs, tired as they may have been after beating Carolina at home on Friday night, improved to 7-3-1 in straight sets in the second game. Being good and having depth helps lead to this type of record.
Yes, the Sens’ 52 shots on goal were the most the Leafs have conceded in a game this season, by quite a bit. The previous high against Toronto was 44, managed twice. In the end, it was a point for an Ottawa team that will be good but isn’t there yet.
The Leafs won’t use a ton of video from this one emphasizing positives. A two-goal lead vanished in the third period as Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk scored twice, including the equalizer eleven seconds from time, and the Sens took a two-man advantage with Sogaard and TJ Brodie in the box from a last-minute – Stumblers had punishment.
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What will matter most as players enjoy a day off on Sunday are the two points won.
Some takeaways from the Leafs’ 42nd win of 2022-23:
MURRAY ANSWERS
If Murray had been told before the game that he would be conceding four goals in his sixth straight appearance, his shoulders might have sunk in despair.
That’s what it turned out to be, but Murray had every reason to stand tall afterwards.
We’re not sure why the question remains whether there will be Ilya Samsonov or Murray as a starter in Game 1 in the playoffs. One of the goalies – that would be Samsonov – has been sharp and stable for most of the season. The other – Murray – has had more than enough time with injuries and now has to worry most about consistently putting his game in a good place.
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Samsonov earned the right to start as a postseason goaltender. It’s as simple as that. The key now is that Samsonov properly prepares for the Lightning.
It’s important for Murray to get into a rhythm, though, and he continued down that path on Saturday. The Leafs want to know he can be reliable when needed in the postseason.
With 48 saves in 65 minutes and six in the shootout, Murray did his part to give the Leafs two points. His biggest hit came in overtime for Tim Stutzle when Murray fended off a block save after the Sens forward went in alone.
The 48 saves were the second-most Murray made in an NHL game. While playing for Pittsburgh in Philadelphia on February 11, 2019, he made 50 saves in a Penguins win.
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JARNKROK BRINGS IT
If coach Sheldon Keefe decides to field Ryan O’Reilly when the veteran center returns from a broken finger as the center man on the third row, a top-six spot remains open.
It’s there for Calle Jarnkrok to claim if he hasn’t already.
Jarnkrok showed more of his attacking flair on Saturday, scoring twice to take him to a career-high 17.
There’s an obvious chemistry with Auston Matthews, something Kerfoot missed when he had the chance to skate with the Leafs’ No. 1 center.
In the second half, Jarnkrok found open ice and was fed by Matthews before beating Sogaard with a one-timer.
In the third, Jarnkrok went up after driving to the net and taking a pass from Matthews.
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Both were goalscoring goals, if you will.
When Keefe ends up using Michael Bunting alongside Matthews and Mitch Marner, it’s all good and as it should be. We see Jarnkrok has what it takes to make the top six minutes and would also be a good addition alongside John Tavares and William Nylander.
That is, as said, if O’Reilly is the center of the third line. If O’Reilly is on the second row and Tavares is moved to the wing, then Jarnkrok will slip to the third row. This option is also attractive, bringing an offensive punch to the bottom six.
Of course, fingers crossed if you’re the leaves and hope the forwards don’t suffer any more injuries.
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ROW UP
Keefe went with a more usual split of 12 forwards and six defenders after fielding 11 and 7 for multiple games.
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The manager gave veteran Mark Giordano, who had played in all 68 Leafs games to date, a well-deserved rest and also rested fellow defenseman Erik Gustafsson. Justin Holl, who had played against the Hurricanes the night before, was used.
Forward Noel Acciari did not make the trip after the Hurricanes’ Jesse Puljujarvi clashed with him in the first half 24 hours earlier, but Keefe indicated Acciari did not suffer a concussion.
Wayne Simmonds was playing for the first time since February 1, and despite having a team-low ice time of six minutes and 44 seconds, he was a three-goal lead for the Leafs.
Bobby McMann, recalled by the Toronto Marlies, got another look and had a shot on target in seven minutes.
Samsonov stayed behind in Toronto to rest and be with his wife who is due to give birth.
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Goalie Joseph Woll, also subpoenaed by the minors, assisted Murray.
YOU SAID IT
“Marathon of a game. A super exciting game to be a part of, loads of emotions out there. Lots of energy in the building. Nice to get that extra point. It was fun to be there. You try to hold the position as long as possible (in the shootout). I ended up keeping my head down. I wasn’t watching when Kerf put that in. It worked out in the end.” – Murray throughout the night
“He was a brick wall, he was so solid. Came with great savings for us which was huge. Just keep playing. There he is not disturbed, but on to the next shot, to the next piece. He kept us in the game.” — Matthews on Murray’s performance
“Back to back, a desperate team across the street. Getting four out of four points (Friday and Saturday) is good for our team.” — Keefe with two wins in two nights
tkoshan@postmedia.com
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