Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks was a great night for Leafs centres. Captain John Tavares scored, Auston Matthews scored (twice!), and the best of them all Jason Spezza score (thrice!). That’s right, the 18-year veteran, who has more NHL years under his belt than Tavares, Matthews, and Nick Robertson combined (!) put up a three-spot in the Leafs 7-3 win over Vancouver.
Not only did Spezza score a hat trick, but he showed us how to score three different ways. His first goal was a slapper from the right wing, his second came off the rush with a great catch-and-release, and his third displayed some sweet dangles to get around the defenseman and goaltender. Sit down kids, class is in session.
First Goal
After Matthews gave the Leafs the lead of the game, the Canucks tied it up. Spezza then went on the power play and smashed that like button— err, I mean, puck in the net.
What a shot from Spezza! pic.twitter.com/TdsmSFfVuo
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
Second Goal
Nic Petan, Nic Petan,
What a pass from Nic Petan!
Look at him, find the seam
He should stay, on the team
Watch out!
Point Per Game Nic Petan!
What a bullet from Spezza. Holy hell. pic.twitter.com/gRII2kTRlO
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
Third Goal
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A REVERSE RETRO!
JASON SPEZZA 🚨 🎩🎩🎩
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
WHAT A PLAY! pic.twitter.com/NxtDr4TBQ8
Reactions
Jason Spezza:
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
Jason Spezza: "Even more than the hat trick, it makes me proud just to see how happy the guys were for me. Those are moments that I think you'd never forget."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 5, 2021
Auston Matthews:
Matthews: You're a stone-cold killer pic.twitter.com/eH4XBwioKG
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
Auston Matthews (x2):
Auston Matthews on Jason Spezza: "He means a lot to this team, I think more than anybody knows. That was fun to watch. That was vintage Jason Spezza. He put on a show, and he deserves it."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 5, 2021
William Nylander and Sheldon Keefe:
Keefe after Spezza's hat-trick pic.twitter.com/WelMcLo8H7
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 5, 2021
The Guys (via Jason Spezza):
Jason Spezza: "Even more than the hat trick, it makes me proud just to see how happy the guys were for me. Those are moments that I think you'd never forget."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 5, 2021
Math:
That is the eighth hat trick of Jason Spezza's career and his first since April 9, 2016.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 5, 2021
We can all imagine ourselves scoring a hat trick for our Toronto Maple Leafs, and last night Jason Spezza achieved that dream. Amazing.
Various Leafs and Branches
Game Recap: Nic Petan, Nic Petan, leads the Leafs like only he can | by: Brigstew
‘Lost’ Canucks getting left in dust by North Division’s best (hey that’s us!) | by: Iain MacIntyre (Sportsnet)
Maple Leafs play it safer after NHL outbreaks trigger new protocols | by: Mark Zwolinski (Toronto Star)
Maple Leafs continue to shuffle lineup in search for best game | by: Chris Johnston (Sportsnet)
Zach Hyman is a core piece that needs to be prioritized | by: Jori Negin-Shecter (The Leafs Nation)
Travis Dermott left the game early and did not return. Sheldon Keefe says he’s okay.
Keefe says Travis Dermott is okay.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) February 5, 2021
Here is some video and a physician’s educated guess for what the injury could be. Sounds like Dermott got away with it and it’s day-to-day?
Not the best video but if I was a betting man I would bet on a quad contusion or hip pointer for Dermott after this hit by Motte (day-to-day up to 2+ weeks)
— Dr. Harjas Grewal (@Harjas_Grewal) February 5, 2021
I’ll admit cannot see what’s happening at his knee or ankle so could be completely off base 🤷♂️ https://t.co/5AjSEiYXQI
Egor Korshkov scored his 16th goal yesterday!
Yegor Korshkov doubles his best season in goals – 16 G (8 G in 2017-18)! pic.twitter.com/nFpUnGqbfh
— KHL (@khl_eng) February 4, 2021
The Ontario Govt is still not allowing the Marlies and Senators to play home games yet.
— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) February 4, 2021
The Colorado Avalanche have shut down their facilities for a week due to COVID-19.
Schedule Update: @Avalanche games postponed through February 11. https://t.co/o42HHY0569 pic.twitter.com/5YfU4QP8Ky
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 5, 2021
Buffalo Sabres head coach, Ralph Krueger (61) is entering NHL COVID Protocol after testing positive for the virus.
An update from the Sabres organization: pic.twitter.com/6r7srLO6dT
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 4, 2021
The NHL has also announced additional measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This includes removing glass behind the benches, limiting time at the arena, social distancing in locker rooms (only now?), and better ventilation and filtration during games (also only now?).
NHL adopts additional COVID-19 preventative measures https://t.co/DrpyoGK9jt
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 4, 2021
Old friend Connor Brown tried to field a double play. The Jays signed a second baseman and he’s not you!
Brown with a brutal penalty and he knows it right away with that reaction pic.twitter.com/cpEn5yvB01
— Alex Metzger (@nhlsensandstuff) February 5, 2021
