First Period

Elias Pettersson(F) outmanned the Leafs on this play. Defending very poor all around by the Leafs.

After one it was 1-0 Vancouver and the Leafs were, well, very bad at five-on-five. I'd be surprised, but lately that's how they start every game. They had 35% xG on the period, and slightly better than usual quality relative to shot volume, for all the good that does when the other team is better by almost double.

Second Period

The Leafs had a power play for the last two minutes which was their only dangerous-seeming offensive pressure. And so it was, dangerous, that is:

All

After two it was 1-all, with more credit to Joe Woll than the power play. To be fair, the Leafs did win that period at five-on-five, but it felt like all they did was forecheck in the offensive zone. (Or shoot from the old Marincin zone.)

Third Period

The first part of this period was very much a "playing for a tie" style of game. Although Creag Berube did reorient the lines towards offence, moving Mitch Marner back to the top line and Max Pacioretty to the second line.

Which led directly to:

A Pettersson took a penalty and the Leafs need to bring the good power play, which they did not have going on the delayed call.

The actual power play is better, but Kevin Lankinen just has the Leafs' number. The final minute of the power play was the best the Leafs played all period. Too little, etc. etc.

The very low-event third period favoured the Canucks, particularly after they scored. They also had the puck the most with the late penalty the only moment of danger for them.

Final score was 2-1 Vancouver, and I would like the Leafs to go away for a while.

Game Coverage