First Period

Anthony Stolarz had to work hard to begin the game, but this time the Leafs got him a lead.

MAX PACIORETTY 🚨 Third of the season!

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T00:25:42.836Z

nice backhand pass from Tavares McCabe has an assist in his return

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T00:26:51.358Z

WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨 Up and over

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T00:40:20.825Z

The Ducks came on strong with a power play and then a sustained period of pressure to end the period.

Frank Vatrano scores on the power play

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T00:46:22.728Z

After one it was 2-1 Leafs.

Ducks dug a big hole before the Leafs gave them some room to play their game. Leafs need to shut that down fast.

Second Period

Joe Woll took the net at the start of the second. No obvious problems with Stolarz.

Leafs got another power play and it failed to even live up to the poor first period version.

The Matthews line constantly looked like it should score, so naturally Pacioretty got another. That's hockey!

MAX PACIORETTY 🚨🚨 Re-direct's Timmins' shot

— Omar (@tictactomar.bsky.social) 2024-12-13T01:33:12.634Z

The Ducks rubbed salt in the wound by scoring against the Matthews line. Everyone defended badly here.

The Ducks got another sustained period of pressure after their goal.

After two is was 3-2 Leafs, so nothing got accomplished in that period.

Lots of Leafs giveaways in the offensive zone, and lots of not being able to get control and exit in the defensive zone. Their offensive pressure is top notch, and the main reason they don't have six goals is because Lukas Dostal is really good. The main reason the Ducks keep scoring is that the Leafs are making a lot of casual passes that are getting picked off.

Third Period

The Leafs dominated early in the third, but Dostal stole several from the Matthews line, then the Tavares line, then he did it all again.

Also a lot of Leafs were just missing.

For the third time, the Ducks took the puck and owned it at the end of the period. They didn't do much with it, however.

Ducks couldn't pull Dostal because the Leafs got control just enough to keep him penned in. They finally got him out with one minute left.

Marner just barely missed on the ENG – story of this game, really.

Woll with a save on the last play of the game, and Marner missed the empty net once more.

Final score was 3-2 Leafs.

No one is going to say, "but they defend well" about that game. That's the trouble with pinning your hopes on low GA – if you have a bad night defensively, what's your plan B?

Next game is Saturday in Detroit and then Sunday at home to Buffalo.

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