Maple Leafs news and rumors: Samsonov, Matthews, Marner and Robertson – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

It was an exciting performance for the Detroit Red Wings. The Motor City team earned a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Dylan Larkin emerged as the hero for the Red Wings, winning a critical power play just 41 seconds into overtime. Despite a comeback by the Auston Matthews-led Maple Leafs, Detroit earned a much-needed win at home that currently keeps them in the playoff race.

The game was a fast-paced affair, with Detroit leading 4-1 after the first period. Goals from Alex DeBrincat and contributions from David Perron and Simon Edvinsson gave the Red Wings an early lead. However, Toronto stormed back to erase the deficit in the second period, led by goals from John Tavares and Nick Robertson.

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Looking to score his historic 70th goal of the season, Matthews scored his 69th goal past former Maple Leaf James Reimer. The pursuit of 70 created an electric atmosphere as fans eagerly awaited Matthews to reach his milestone. He didn't, but it wasn't for lack of trying.

Item 1: 3 Causes of maple leaf loss

The number one reason the Maple Leafs lost last night was because they played a poor first period. The team fell into a deep hole early in the game and trailed 4-1 going into the second period. The Red Wings, who looked more concerned, capitalized on almost everyone. The Maple Leafs' defensive lapses were quality scoring opportunities for the opposition and they made them count. In the end, Detroit's command was very difficult to defeat. A slow start was costly, requiring a significant effort to come back later in the game. The team played with fire and got burned.

Second, where has Toronto's potent penalty kill gone? The Blue and White struggled with a short man and gave up crucial goals to Detroit on the power play. DeBrincat did his job by taking advantage of the Maple Leafs' poor penalty kill, exploiting shots and defensive breakdowns. Special teams played a key role in the outcome, with Detroit's success on the power play turning the momentum in its favor.

In the end, despite a strong comeback in the second period, the Maple Leafs fell short. The bottom line was that they couldn't finish off their scoring chances. Matthews' pursuit of his 70th goal added to the pressure as it became the talk of the game. Toronto's offense seemed to force punts and miss opportunities. Failure to convert on late power plays and Detroit's defensive resilience allowed the Maple Leafs to complete their comeback and win on home ice.

Item 2: Tale of 2 in 1 games by Ilya Samsonov

It is difficult to analyze Ilya Samsonov's game yesterday. Obviously, it's not perfect and could cause some concern among Toronto fans as the playoffs approach. Samsonov made 27 saves in the overtime loss against the Red Wings and stood tall after his team started playing with some spirit in front of him. However, the bottom line is that his recent form has not been consistent. He has scored 11 goals on 52 shots in the last two games.

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Given the upcoming playoffs, the timing of this slump may be of particular concern (as noted, who knows?). Playoff success will depend on his performance; he should play well. However, given all the events of this game, Samsonov's coldness may cast doubt on his reliability in important games. His first period was light, but as the game went on he looked great.

While Samsonov made some impressive saves throughout the game, the general tendency to give up goals is worrying. Addressing Samsonov's form will be crucial in preparation for the playoffs.

Point 3: Auston Matthews: – 1 goal close to 70

Auston Matthews continued his incredible scoring streak. Last night he scored his 69th goal on the power play. The feat ties him with Mario Lemieux's 69-goal season in 1995-96. Matthews scored 10 goals after eight games. He also scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

Matthews' 107 points this season tied his previous career high of 106 points in 2021-22. With the 70-goal mark so close by the end of the regular season, it will be hard for Matthews to rest. It's such a rare occurrence that it could be part of the team's agenda for the upcoming two games in Florida.

Scoring 70 goals cements Matthews' place in NHL history. The Maple Leafs have two road games remaining in Florida, giving Matthews a chance to reach the 70-target mark. More than 30 years have passed since this achievement.

Point 4: Mitch Marner is in the heater

Mitch Marner has been on a tear since returning from injury. He had one goal and two assists in last night's overtime loss to the Red Wings. Since returning from injury, he has maintained an impressive scoring streak, scoring points in every game. Marner combined his current streak with his pre-injury performance to score 10 points, including eight assists in seven games.

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In general, in the season, Marner scored 84 points (26 goals, 58 assists) in 67 games. It has an offensive effect on the maple leaf. His return to form is a boost for the team as it heads toward the end of the regular season and prepares for the playoffs.

What's next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs face an interesting decision regarding Nick Robertson as the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach. Robertson showed his ability to score goals every time he played. It seems like every game he puts the puck over the goalie. He makes a few shots that other Maple Leafs players can make.

Will the team make room in their lineup for him to score some serious goals even if he's not a 200-foot regular? His ability to contribute offensively presents an attractive situation to consider in a playoff lineup. He's fast, he's offensive, and he works hard. He's a rookie, but he shows up. This will be an interesting coaching solution.