Maple Leafs light up Arizona Coyotes 7-4

[Maple Leafs 7, Coyotes 4]

Another winning wager on the -185 Maple Leafs (they went off at -200) and Auston Matthews netted his 15th goal of the season; his first in front of his hometown family and friends in Arizona. 

The Maple Leafs at one point actually scored two goals in :10 to make it 6-2. It was a dominating performance. They got on the board on a shorthanded goal by Zach Hyman. That's when you knew it was going to be their night. 

And although it wasn't Hockey Night - the Maple Leafs were one of just a few games which was nice - it made for a nice watch in between the Holiday Bowl between Washington State and Michigan State.

The Maple Leafs play again tomorrow night and look to keep things going.

Auston Matthews makes a Christmas Return

[Maple Leafs 3, Rangers 2]
[Pension Plan Puppets]

The great news broke this morning when everyone awoke, two days before Christmas: Auston Matthews would return from a concussion-like injury. You knew he was going to do something.

The Maple Leafs are damn good, too. They improved to 22-14-1, still breathing down the neck of the Tampa Bay Lightning and their star returned with his 14th assist to get them on the board with a goal by William Nylander. He would score the third goal of the game for the Leafs, which ended up being all the difference in the 3-2 win.

It was the 14th goal of the season for Matthews; who now has 28 points in 27 games.



The Leafs held serve at Madison Square Garden and now with Christmas break on until Wednesday, everyone has a chance to rest and get healthy.

The one where Connor McDavid bails out the Oilers

[Oilers 3, Blues 2]

[Edmonton Journal]

The Oilers trailed 2-1 with just over three minutes to go. And then Connor McPerfect showed up. 

With his 13th goal of the season, McDavid tied the game at 2-2. In what some in Edmonton are calling a Christmas Miracle on 104th Street, the Oilers won the game just a little bit later with a goal from Drake Caggiula. 

Draisatl and Lucic assisted on McDavid's big time goal. And it was the first time all season that the Oilers have won back to back home games in Edmonton. 

Suddenly it would seem, the Oilers are climbing back in things ever so quietly. Still down in the standings at 16-17-2, the oilers are at 34 points, about five back of a playoff spot. They had to have this one. 

Pre-Christmas Hockey: Oilers 7, Blue Jackets 2

[Gamebook]
[Cult of Hockey] [Columbus Dispatch]

This was the guy I bought the ticket to see, as always. And on a cold and snowy Tuesday night down at Nationwide Arena, he did not disappoint. Connor McDavid netted three assists, and created utter chaos all over the ice netting four total points. Three beautiful assists and a goal later, the Oilers had won the game 7-2. 

Sergei Bobrovsky was in for a rough night on this evening. 

Bobrovsky is definitely the Columbus Blue Jackets' star player. However he allowed five goals before the second period was through and the Jackets trailed 5-0 at the second intermission. He was pulled from there. This was the worst performance I've seen a goalie have live. 

The best there ever was. No, but seriously; Wayne Gretzky was in the house my buddy told me who was watching the game on television. Why, I'm not sure. 

I always have loved Milan Lucic. He got a goal. 

Here's the Edmonton Oilers starting lineup on the ice for the Canadian national anthem. 

Here's the beloved Leo Welsh singing the Canadian National Anthem. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets starting lineup on the ice during the anthem. 

This is the first face off of the night during Connor McDavid's 18:24 of total ice time. 

I got to see Connor McDavid score the 58th goal of his career, and 12th of the season:


You may recall that I also saw him score the 13th goal of his career.

This was from a friend who was sitting behind the bench. This is Coach John Tortorella's hand and lap, and his lineup card. 

Overall, one of the most satisfying games I've seen live. Connor McDavid's dominance has never been more on display for me, and his speed live is something to marvel at. Especially with center ice seats. 

Matthews bests McDavid in Edmonton

[Box Score]

Last night in the Maple Leafs 6-4 win, Auston Matthews tallied his 13th goal and 13th assist. Here is the wrister that made it 1-0 Maple Leafs:



Connor McDavid wasn't without his own theatrics. He scored his 11th goal of the season to tie the game 3-3:



Toronto is 17-9-1. Edmonton is having a much different year at 10-14-2.