TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have 99 problems and Auston Matthews might just outscore each one.
Somehow, the team looked at the easiest stretch of their schedule and decided to make it hard.
In the middle of a seven-game run exclusively against opponents outside of the playoff picture, the Cup-dreaming, deadline-buying Maple Leafs have barely kept their heads above water.
Home losses to Buffalo and Vancouver were partially redeemed by Monday’s nail-biting victory in Columbus.
And things appeared to be on track again Tuesday, as the local heroes pounced on the power-play to seize a 3-1 lead over the expansion Seattle Kraken.
Cue the inevitable comeback.
Yes, for the third straight outing and eighth time in 2022, the Maple Leafs — whose issues are a Venn diagram of two intersecting circles labelled “defence” and “goaltending” — let a multi-goal lead disintegrate.
The Kraken rallied with three unanswered goals to swipe a third-period lead.
But Toronto’s superstar saved the day in clutch time, punching back to secure a 6-4 victory.
Still, Toronto has been outgunned to the tune of 19-16 through these four games against non-contenders. (Arizona, Buffalo and Dallas are still on deck.) Its top line is glossing over some serious flaws.
Jack Campbell has promised to be better, and on this night he was good enough to outduel Philipp Grubauer.
One had to wonder, however, what was running through the goaltender’s mind as the pucks zipped past. Or what solutions Leafs peak performance coach Greg Harden, taking in the action from the press box on this night, might have.
Toronto built its early lead on the strength of power-play goals from stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander, while John Tavares notched his first even-strength goal in 17 games.
Carson Soucy, Alexander Wennberg, Colin Blackwell (shorthanded) and Jaden Schwartz responded for Seattle.
Matthews struck back to tie the affair midway through the third, Mitch Marner ripped a power-play winner just 40 seconds later, and Matthews completed a hat trick into an empty net just for kicks.
That is the power they wield.
As they hung on for two dramatic points, it was another evening that reinforced the infuriating/exhilarating juxtaposition that is the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022.
Able to score and get scored on in bunches, they’re either slamming the gas or fishtailing near the ditch.
Cursed in their own end. But blessed with game-breakers.
Next goal wins.
Fox’s Fast 5
• How might a five-year, $25-million contract extension change former Leaf Jared McCann’s life?
He’s been a renter throughout his seven-year, four-franchise NHL career. Now he’s ready to be a homeowner.
See, millennials? It’s not that hard.
• Asked Dave Hakstol, who was on the Maple Leafs bench for their postseason losses in 2020 and 2021, for his theory on why Toronto has yet to get over the hump.
“I watch it from a different viewpoint now. There’s no easy way to get there,” replied Hakstol, hesitant to get specific.
“I believe that group will just continue to grow, learn from the different challenges and successes and failures. And that’s how you do it. Because there’s no easy way to the end. You can look back on any team that’s been able to do it. So, it’s a character group. It’s a skilled group. It’s a good group of people.”
• Jake Muzzin (concussion) hit the ice for about 40 minutes Tuesday morning. Keefe doesn’t see that as a surprise because “he’s been feeling good for a little while now.”
The Maple Leafs remain cautious and patient and will not put a definitive timeline on Muzzin’s return, but the blueline misses him. It’s difficult to believe he’ll be kept out of action until the playoffs begin in May.
• Wayne Simmonds was honoured for his 1,000th game with silver stick and a Tiffany crystal in a blue-carpet ceremony. His young daughters, Kori and Kapri, were gifted with silver mini sticks, and teammates past (Drew Doughty, Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier) and present (Tavares, Michael Bunting, Jason Spezza), plus Willie O’Ree recorded messages for a congratulatory video:
• Ondrej Kase (upper body) returned after missing four games, subbing out Spezza and forming a new-look fourth line with Simmonds and Alexander Kerfoot.
