Shot totals or not, it seemed like Dallas carried the first 35 minutes and the game evened out, the Leafs definitely carried the 3rd until the final blitz with the EN. The best game? No, and am I still concerned that this last ten games have been sloppy at the best of times? Yeah.
But I'll take a win against a top team.
Also yet another game where the Leafs can't get a call to save their lives but the opposing team gets breathed on and it's a 2. In December the Leafs have taken more penalties than their opponents in 6 of the 9 games played so far (Nashville, Buffalo and Anaheim).
Dallas must have some bad ice, I don't recall the last time I saw so many guys, on both teams, just falling down, so many sticks broken on shots and such a jumpy puck.
Nicky Bobby definitely had some spring in his step, that steal to the McMann goal was Marneresque. As I said before I don't expect that every game, but if he can bring that hustle every 3rd game or so he becomes a piece not to be parted with lightly.
I hope the chemistry keeps and the confidence grows, and I know its only been two games but I like the look of that 3rd line; playmaking center, sniper on the wing, big fast guy on the other side.
Aside from his goals, Willy didn't look great. He seems to be sticking to the outside these last few games. Matthews I was going to say was fine, but he's been lazy defensively all year, and Mitch wasn't noticeable on offense but made great defensive plays all game. I don't think there's a reason to stack the top line, but I'm glad it's being tried.
JT won some faceoffs and that's about it but since he willed them to the win on Sunday he gets a pass.
MaxPac, what an absolute unit this year. I love the way he knows how to toe the line, laying out hard, borderline, slightly-dirty but not egregious hits. He hit Mavrik Bourque both as a welcome to the league, kid and because his name is Mavrik and how don't you hit a guy with such a goofy, zoomer name?
Woll's athleticism and positioning is outstanding; that save on Heiskanen when it was 4-2? Hot damn. All he needs to work on is his puck handling and that'll come with experience. Please stay healthy.
Benoit and Timmins did not look good and have not looked good lately. Benny started rough, then got it together and is again falling back off, while Timmy has been an early pleasant surprise but has not had a good stretch of games here.
Otter was shitty, but then I heard the broadcast say it's his 7th game in a row due to a flu bug ravaging the team. He's their MVP, he doesn't have to make it rain every night.
On Dallas I liked Hintz, Bichsel, Johnston, Stankoven, Steel, Blackwell and Smith. Bourque looked like a boy against men, Marchment was garb, Heiskanen did not have a good game at all and I don't think I heard Jason Bobby's name once.
Once again a shout out to the Stars' PBP crew, Razor and Bogorad, IMO the two best in the business. I always look forward to watching the Stars' feed when they play them. Memes and banter, non-sequiturs and stories that they keep at an appropriate length, and Razor's wordplay is stellar. They're homers for their team as expected, but not under the table and on their knees homers and give proper respect to the opposing team.
