Jesperi Kotkaniemi OT Winner Sends Habs to Game 7 against Toronto

 

[Box Score]

There's something I really like about Montreal Canadiens center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. On this Saturday night Hockey Night in Montreal, he sent a tremendous hockey game to a game seven with a game-winning overtime wrist shot that gave Montreal an unlikely 3-2 win over the -190 Maple Leafs in a game that oddsmakers thought they should have won handily. 

It was his 7th career Stanley Cup Playoffs goal. While he hasn't recorded an assist, there's something to be said for his prowess to find the net in these crucial playoff games in 15 career games and not yet 21 years of age. 

Also in this game that I watched on NBC Sports, Tyler Toffoli and Corey Perry scored for the Habs. Surely they lose game 7 right? 

The Canadiens are nothing if not pesky, and now the Maple Leafs look to avoid a game seven choke with seemingly all the pressure on them against a team playing with house money. It will be a Monday night thriller on Memorial Day. 

[Event Summary]

Incredible game in Boston tonight in the 2-2 series between the Maple Leafs and Bruins, and I watched every second.



Matthews broke a scoreless tie with his fourth goal of the series. Honestly, this could be the Maple Leafs year, as the number one seed is bounced on both sides (Calgary went down 5-1 tonight in Alberta to the Avs).

This is the first time in NHL history that both number one seeds have been eliminated in the opening round of the NHL playoffs.

Toronto will now be tasked with closing it out in Toronto on Easter Sunday. WOW.

HNIC - Maple Leafs 6, Canadiens 3

Mine and my ex's team got back on track tonight coming back from a 3-0 deficit in Toronto. It was against her dad's team. I spent two games recently in Canada.

Loss 1
Loss 2

But tonight, Auston Matthews got the boys in blue going.





I don't believe I have made my last trip to Canada. Time will tell.

Leafs Beat Canadiens 3-2 on 2018-2019 Opening Night

[Box Score]
[NHL.com] [Pension Plan Puppets]

It was a storybook beginning for the John Tavares/Auston Matthews era, right in Toronto on Opening Night.

Auston Matthews got on the board twice, including the game winner. Here are his two goals:


Power Play, Goal #1 of 2018-2019:



Overtime Game-Winner, Goal #2:


Matthews has 76 career goals now, and although he began opening night on the Leafs second line; he's going to be knocking on the door of 100 soon enough. I think he wins the Rocket Richard trophy in goal scoring this year, and the Leafs are finally in a Stanley Cup Final.

Maple Leafs Force Game Seven Against Bruins

[Event Summary]

[NHL.com]

On a night where a terrorist attack happened in Toronto, on a night where the Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated by the Washington Capitals in game six here in Columbus. The Toronto Maple Leafs played game six in their city like their lives were on the line. These guys sacrificed so much to force a game seven for their city, overcoming all odds and trying to advance in a series they trailed 2-0 and 3-1. 

The Maple Leafs entered as underdogs, but I saw a team play as a team. Frederick Andersen several times was out of position, only to have a Toronto skater make the save for him. Andersen made so many improbable saves on his own. He stopped 32 of 33 shots. Boston took the lead 1-0, but Toronto charged back from there and wouldn't be denied. 

Auston Matthews had an assist waved off for goalie interference on the Leafs. But this team is gutty. They'll look to him Wednesday night to do something he's never done before in his career. The biggest goal in the biggest moment wins and advances. One of these tremendous teams has to go home. 

The winner Wednesday night gets to face the #1 seed Lightning. 

Great Yahoo Article on the Impact of Matthews' Answering Critics Game Three

Game three was an absolute dream of a game for the Maple Leafs. I'm not sure if it's the apex of the entire season or not at this point.

So I'm trying to savor as much as I can of it before Thursday night arrives. The Leafs are installed as early -115 to -110 slight favorites over the Bruins. They went off at -105 the other night, so they have appeared to at least halt the Bruin momentum for the time being in the eyes of oddsmakers.

Great read here at Yahoo! about Auston Matthews answering the bell in game three with the biggest goal of the year.

Maple Leafs Win Game Three, Round One 4-2 Over Bruins

[Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 2]
[NHL.com]

My team really did it. I watched the entire game. The Maple Leafs will not be swept in futility as it looked in games one and two in Boston. My favorite player rose at the big moment and scored the biggest goal of the game to give his team the final lead.

This was an incredible game. The Leafs are very much alive; for now. Trying to hang on until Nazem Kadri returns from suspension and extend this series out long.

Here's a look at Auston Matthews' first goal of these playoffs, a beautiful snipe that gave the Maple Leafs a 3-2 lead. A lead that would hold up (Patrick Marleau later scored his second goal of the game to make it 4-2).



Frederick Andersen stood on his head for several saves to keep this a 3-2 game. These teams really played hard, and fast paced. Zdeno Chara scored an incredible goal to make it 2-2. This was action packed for three periods. The Toronto crowd was outstanding from the anthem to the final whistle.

It was a Monday night in Toronto, and all was safe and well for a night. The Maple Leafs extended the season against the seemingly unstoppable Bruins; for at least a game.

I can't wait for Thursday night.

Auston Matthews Goals 30 and 31 of 2017-2018

As the Maple Leafs come down the home stretch with just three regular season games remaining, things are not looking as up as they were when the season got underway. There is some talk of a first round exit to the Bruins. But yet, Auston Matthews has pressed on. In a difficult and injury-shortened season; Matthews once again found the way to cross the 30-goal plateau.

These are goals 70 and 71 of his illustrious young career.

Goal #30:


Goal #31:


I want to see Matthews take it to another level in the playoffs, and let it all hang out. If he goes to the next gear in the first round or otherwise, the Leafs can get by absolutely anyone.

Auston Matthews Returns from Injury, Scores Goal 29

[Maple Leafs 5, Predators 2]

Auston Matthews returned from injury and hit a top shelf wrist shot for his 29th goal of the season. What could have been this year in the way of goal scoring if Matthews had not had three stints of missed games.

He's played in 55, 29 goals and 23 assists. The Maple Leafs are mostly playing out the string, trying to get ready for an opening round playoff matchup. It's going to be an absolute barn burner with the Boston Bruins; so things will get ugly early with a true test. Some people think the Bruins are suited to win the Stanley Cup.

It was nice to see Matthews get back out there, and at some point in the final few days, he's going to tally goal number 30. With the way things have gone with his health all year, it's still been an incredibly productive season when he's out there. He's +24 on the year. It's a different game when he's on the ice for Toronto.

Maple Leafs Log Big Comeback on Hockey Day in Canada

[Maple Leafs 4, Senators 3]
[Pension Plan Puppets]

Everyone loves a good comeback story. The Maple Leafs trailed 3-1 in the third period. I had the thought that they were going to rally. That I should live bet them to come back and win. And then they woke up.

Auston Matthews netted his 20th goal of the 2017-2018 season on a little backhander, and cut the deficit.



Today was one of the best days of the year for the sport of hockey. It was Hockey Day in Canada presented by legendary Scotiabank.



Today is one of those days that I wish I were Canadian and grew up in the land up north as a kid loving this game since I was a baby. I wish I knew how to skate and got up early in the morning and played in a pond hockey game with snow covering the ground all around me. Then I could take my kids to a parade and then settle in to watch Sportsnet Canada, a channel I obviously don't even get here in the USA and watch hockey from morning until night.

Instead, I went to the gym and attended a neighborhood birthday party with my kids. Then I did Uber for the first time ever as a driver and made $35.

But on this day, Auston Matthews and the Leafs ended a four-game losing streak in a big way and represented.

Maple Leafs lose on New Years Eve in Las Vegas 6-3

[Golden Knights 6, Maple Leafs 3]
[NHL.com]

When the NHL schedule came out, this was one of the dates that was circled on the calendar. It was a strange Sunday afternoon tilt in Las Vegas, and the first time in history that the Maple Leafs would visit Sin City. It was also New Years Eve day.

Auston Matthews didn't disappoint in a losing effort, netting his 100th career point. Sporting News has a great feature on him that is just a few days old that talks about the evolution of his career.

Auston Matthews 16th Goal:


Matthews' 17th Goal of the season, 100th career point:


But William Karlsson was the guy who stole the show; scoring a hat trick and now with 20 goals on the season. Vegas continued their storybook inaugural season.

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.

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.

Auston Matthews dominating for me on NHL18

Auston Matthews had a hat-trick in this game for me against the Colorado Avalanche, including the game winner in overtime to beat them 4-3. He's got 25 goals through 20 games in his third season. He also has 15 assists.

This was a picture of his first goal, a one-timer assisted by William Nylander. Nylander also assisted on the game winner in the fourth period overtime.

It was Hockey Night, and Auston Matthews returned

The Maple Leafs went into Montreal and won 6-0, winning their sixth game in a row. It was the second time this season they have exercised their demons against the Canadiens.

They also got Auston Matthews back from an upper body injury. And boy did he make his presence felt. Below, you'll see him score goals 11 and 12.





At 14-7-0, the Maple Leafs trail just Tampa Bay (15-3-2) in the Atlantic.

The NHL18 Leafs Advance to the Stanley Cup Finals

The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 7-2 in game five of the conference finals to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers who overcame a 3-2 series deficit against the Chicago Blackhawks to advance. Auston Matthews closed out Montreal with four goals in game five.



Game one of the Stanley Cup Finals was a double overtime thriller in Edmonton. The Maple Leafs won 2-1, assaulting Cam Talbot with 70 shots. Nazem Kadri buried the game winner upper tank for the win.

Matthews scores 10th on Penalty shot, Leafs fall in Los Angeles

[Kings 5, Maple Leafs 3]

Auston Matthews now has 10 goals in 14 games to start the year. This dude is the biggest star the NHL has seen in a long time.

I watched this game for a bit loosely while playing NHL 18; and the Kings built an early 3-0 lead. The Maple Leafs struck back with goals from Matthews on the penalty shot, Morgan Rielly (assisted by Matthews), and Connor Brown on a power play. But it wasn't enough, and now the Leafs are 8-6-0 on the season, losing to the very good Kings.

Auston Matthews 9th Goal of 2017-2018

I was watching this one live. I fell asleep before the end. The Maple Leafs fell in the shark tank, 3-2.

NHL 18: Game 7, First Round Stanley Cup Playoffs: Bruins at Maple Leafs

This was a back and forth series with each teams trading blow game by game. No team won consecutive games in the series.