Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Arizona Coyotes on their own turf. In their previous encounter last week, Toronto secured a convincing victory over the Coyotes in Phoenix. The question now looms: can they replicate that success?
Both teams are eager to bounce back from recent losses and secure a win. Historically, the Coyotes have proven to be formidable opponents for the Maple Leafs, often leading to closely contested matches.
Returning home with a seven-game winning streak, the Maple Leafs faced a challenging 6-2 defeat in their second game of a back-to-back against the Vegas Golden Knights, a team they had previously defeated 7-3 just days earlier. On the other hand, the Coyotes are seeking redemption following a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and are grappling with a prolonged losing streak, currently standing at 0-11-2.
Three Things Fans Should Watch for in Tonight’s Game
Fans should keep an eye on three key aspects in tonight’s Maple Leafs vs. Coyotes matchup:
Firstly, there’s the retaliation factor for the Coyotes, who seek redemption following their 6-3 defeat in their previous encounter in Arizona. With the Coyotes enduring a lengthy losing streak, fans can anticipate a fierce contest as they strive to secure a victory through sheer determination.
Secondly, how will the Maple Leafs react after their disheartening performance against Vegas? While ending a seven-game winning streak is one thing, the nature of their defeat was particularly frustrating. Head coach Sheldon Keefe’s frustration with the referees led to his ejection from the game.
Expect the Maple Leafs to come out strong, eager to bounce back and regain momentum in their pursuit of favorable playoff positioning.
Thirdly, it appears that Joseph Woll is poised to rejoin the Maple Leafs’ lineup. This will signify Woll’s inaugural start since December 7th, as he has been sidelined for the past 35 games due to an ankle injury. How will he perform after such an extended absence? Ideally, his return will inject some vigor into the team both with his presence and his performance on the ice.
Easton Cowan’s Impressive Scoring Streak
For those unfamiliar with junior hockey, a glance at prospect Easton Cowan’s performance with the London Knights reveals the exceptional season he’s enjoying. Hailing from Mt.
Brydges, Ontario, Cowan’s ongoing streak of 26 games has already exceeded Sergei Kostitsyn’s record set in 2006-07. Cowan may also be on the verge of entering historic territory. (source: “London Knights notes: Easton Cowan’s point streak, in context, Ryan Pyette, The London Free Press, Feb 28, 2024”).
In the annals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) London franchise, Dave Gilmore’s streak of 33 consecutive games from October 10, 1993, to January 14, 1994, remains the longest in Knights’ history, during which he amassed 117 points for the season.
However, the organization is now delving deeper into the meticulous records maintained by long-time statistician Herb Morell to uncover any additional streaks.
The Knights boast a storied legacy of exceptional players such as Dave Simpson, who recorded an impressive 155 points in the 1981-82 season, and Dino Ciccarelli, who notched 72 goals and 142 points in 1977-78. Notably, former Maple Leafs star Doug Gilmour holds the OHL record with a remarkable 55-game streak in the 1982-83 season.
With 29 goals, 59 assists, and 79 points this season, Cowan is on track to extend his streak to 37 consecutive games if he registers at least one point in all 11 remaining games on the Knights’ schedule. Should he sustain this streak throughout the playoffs, it would mark a remarkable achievement and would be promising for Maple Leafs fans. It’s not inconceivable that Cowan could find himself on the Maple Leafs roster next season.
Zach Hyman’s Scoring Technique Offers a Valuable Lesson for the Maple Leafs
In a recent match, former Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman netted two goals for the Edmonton Oilers in their overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues, bringing his season tally to an impressive 40 goals. However, what’s particularly noteworthy is not just the quantity of his goals, but how he achieves them – a lesson that the Maple Leafs can learn from.
Hyman employs tactics with the Oilers that are less common among Maple Leafs players: he consistently positions himself close to the goaltender to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Both of Hyman’s goals in the last game were scored from within five feet of Blues’ goaltender Jordan Binnington, a pattern that recurs in his scoring.
Hyman’s consistent success highlights the importance of scoring from close range, especially as the intensity of games escalates during the postseason. His ability to generate offense from just three feet away from the goal line serves as a valuable lesson for the Maple Leafs.
Tyler Bertuzzi’s recent hat trick also demonstrated a similar close-range scoring approach and is worth highlighting. Similarly, when Matthew Knies joined the Maple Leafs during the postseason, he frequently positioned himself near the net, resulting in consistent scoring opportunities.
The key takeaway is that these types of goals are crucial for the Maple Leafs to capitalize on scoring chances in playoff scenarios. The team needs to establish a strong presence in front of the net.
In the previous playoff season, the Maple Leafs encountered difficulties against resilient defensive teams, managing just two goals in seven consecutive games.
When facing opponents like the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, creating scoring opportunities becomes particularly challenging. Goals scored from close range represent Grade-A opportunities that the team must capitalize on.
The critical question is, where will these crucial goals originate? As the Maple Leafs gear up for the playoffs, they must enhance their offensive capabilities by breaking through resilient defenses. Strategic efforts to generate offense against steadfast defensive opponents will be vital for their postseason success.
What lies ahead for the Maple Leafs?
The defeat against the Golden Knights brought an end to several Maple Leafs’ scoring streaks. Nonetheless, Bertuzzi continued his impressive run by scoring his fourth goal in just two games.
Additionally, William Nylander extended his point streak to eight games with an assist on Bertuzzi’s goal. Throughout this streak, Nylander has recorded six goals and eight assists, accumulating a total of 14 points.
However, Mitch Marner’s remarkable 10-game point streak and Auston Matthews’ six-game point streak both came to a halt. Goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov had previously secured victories in six consecutive starts dating back to February 7th. Can each player embark on a new streak?