> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Game 27 Recap: Maple Leafs overpower Blue Jackets - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-recap-steeves-rubins-debut-matthews-goals-campbell-saves/ - Published: 2021-12-08T02:34:39.000Z - Updated: 2021-12-08T02:34:39.000Z - Description: Two all-new Leafs made their league debut, how did they do? - Author: Brian Stewart - Tags: Game Coverage, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15 Welcome to Leafs Nation, Alex Steeves and Kristians Rubins, hoping for a fantastic debuted! ## FIRST PERIOD Leafs start off strong, with Clifford getting the best chance early. > Kyle Clifford takes it to the net [pic.twitter.com/nEkrsOERNd](https://t.co/nEkrsOERNd?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468372763207421952?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) WILLY NYE SNIPER GUY! ON THE POWERPLAY! 1-0 Leafs! > Nylander's 11th of the season [pic.twitter.com/7zBGxr9s5y](https://t.co/7zBGxr9s5y?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468374623574274051?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Columbus challenged for goalie interference but the goal stood after review, so the Leafs got another PP. Ritchie once again had a chance and once again did not score... starting to feel bad for the guy. > Bunting finds Ritchie [pic.twitter.com/TDKJPOPnT4](https://t.co/TDKJPOPnT4?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468374985010028545?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Bunting give and take. First, took a penalty, then when the Leafs killed it he gave Matthews this BEAUTIFUL set up for the goal. > AUSTON MATTHEWS 🚨 > > WHAT A PASS BY MICHAEL BUNTING! [pic.twitter.com/vVRYcJUNYd](https://t.co/vVRYcJUNYd?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468379087529984014?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) IT FINALLY HAPPENED! NICK RITCHIE GOAL ALERT! NICK RITCHIE GOAL ALERT! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Kase fist pumping in excitement for it was very wholesome. > NICK RITCHIE 🚨 > > FIRST AS A LEAF! [pic.twitter.com/Z8zxF23ljq](https://t.co/Z8zxF23ljq?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468380219627159554?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Ondrej Kase is hyped for Ritchie [pic.twitter.com/sUPIShX0ii](https://t.co/sUPIShX0ii?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468380521822621698?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Late in the period, Jake Muzzin blocked a shot and looked hurt by it. With 30 seconds left he went to the dressing room early, hopefully it just stung him and he needs some ice. > Jake Muzzin took a shot off the ankle [pic.twitter.com/RoqSVUNEPz](https://t.co/RoqSVUNEPz?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468381949391785985?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### Period One Thoughts: - **Shots**: At 5v5 the shot attempts were pretty even, the Blue Jackets actually had a 21 to 20 edge. On special teams it flipped to 25 to 24 for the Leafs. - **Expected goals**: But in terms of quality, the Leafs had a much stronger edge with 60.63% of the expected goal share. - **Special teams**: Leafs are 1 for 2 on the PP and killed off their one penalty kill, so good job! - **Standouts**: Nick Ritchie is leading the way in expected goals generated, with Matthews and Tavares behind him. Bunting had that incredible pass to Matthews which deserves all the recognition in the world. And shout out to Kristians Rubins, in his first NHL game rocking a 100% shot attempt and expected goal share! - **Heatmap**: / ## SECOND PERIOD Not much has happened so far this period, but the Leafs are getting their chances. It’s felt like Willy and Tavares have had a few solid chances of their own. Tavares almost sprung Willy on a breakaway but it was juuuuuuuust out of his reach. Then Tavares had his own great chance here that he whiffed. > In another universe, it's 4-0 [pic.twitter.com/JgHLcAk3Ei](https://t.co/JgHLcAk3Ei?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468387254087335938?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) But the top line with Matthews is humming along nicely as well. > Bunting - Matthews - Simmonds are clicking [pic.twitter.com/xHY50m2qou](https://t.co/xHY50m2qou?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468387622846443520?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Willy is on a mission tonight. He has a goal but he’s had chances, or set up chances, all game. > Nylander to Kerfoot [pic.twitter.com/1mvTceAmBa](https://t.co/1mvTceAmBa?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468389411624730625?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) HOLY SHIT JACK CAMPBELL WHAT A SAVE ON THE PENALTY KILL! > Are you kidding me? [pic.twitter.com/e22L9zB9E7](https://t.co/e22L9zB9E7?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468390900665663495?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Columbus scored later on in the PP, which shouldn’t be allowed after a save like that IMO. 3-1 Leafs. > Oliver Bjorkstrand deflects Zach Werenski's shot and it squeaks through [pic.twitter.com/OpiXmfmyNX](https://t.co/OpiXmfmyNX?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468391449049935883?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Tavares finally breaks through on the powerplay! Lovely high tip off the Rielly point shot. 4-1 Leafs. > JOHNNY T!![#LeafsForever](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/tK9Mop0APr](https://t.co/tK9Mop0APr?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1468395379771068416?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) AUSTON MATTHEWS 7 SECONDS LATER! 5-1 Leafs. > First name: Auston > Last name: Matthews[#LeafsForever](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/ePtC1FDWpw](https://t.co/ePtC1FDWpw?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1468395807158448129?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### Period Two Thoughts: - **Shot attempts**: Blue Jackets had the edge 18 to 15 at even strength, as they tried mounting more pressure for the comeback. But... - **Expected goals**: It was an even 50% split in expected goal share, so the Leafs still are managing better quality for their attempts. - **Special teams**: Each team had one powerplay attempt, and each team scored. We’ll call it a draw. - **Standouts**: I mean... Matthews has two goals. Rielly has four assists. Campbell made that ridiculous save. Nylander and Tavares are driving a lot of chances. The big boys are doing their jobs tonight. - **Heatmap**: / ## THIRD PERIOD Bjorkstrand with another tip off a point shot makes it 5-2. > Oliver Bjorkstrand strikes again off another deflection to start the third [pic.twitter.com/Jur3ydRNUg](https://t.co/Jur3ydRNUg?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468400306916663301?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Jack Campbell is out of his mind tonight with the highlights. > Jack Campbell with another highlight-reel save > > The paddle! [pic.twitter.com/LQ8aj71KJy](https://t.co/LQ8aj71KJy?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468401572606615554?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Leafs have engaged full turtle-mode, and not doing it that effectively. They’re giving up a good chunk of shot attempts and they’re not all low-danger. The Leafs do have some periods of getting a chance or two of their own, like this Rielly shot: > Morgan Rielly trying to add to his four points [pic.twitter.com/IaYoMEWcYD](https://t.co/IaYoMEWcYD?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468406458618454016?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Eventually they give up another goal off a partial two on one, with Steeves just not able to catch up/tie up Kuraly. > Sean Kuraly makes it 5-3 [pic.twitter.com/lWLojbaxC1](https://t.co/lWLojbaxC1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [December 8, 2021](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1468407295956692995?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### Final Thoughts: The Blue Jackets are a rebuilding team. The Leafs are in their prime. Their stars, even absent a bunch of injured guys, were just overwhelming for Columbus. Matthews scored twice. Rielly had four points. Tavares and Willy each had a goal. I have to say that Steeves looked like he belonged, in limited minutes. Good skater, didn’t look afraid or overmatched.