Hildeby, Laughton’s efforts squandered, power play remains a mess

Considering how close the divisional standings are, the Leafs can take solace in securing at least one point, while ruing an opportunity to ascend through the Atlantic, against a Canadiens team that has been maddeningly inconsistent.

Cole Caufield opened the scoring for the Canadiens on the power play. Scott Laughton responded for the Maple Leafs with his third goal in as many games, ripping a slap shot off the rush, short-handed, injecting new life into the game. After an overtime period where Hildeby and Jakub Dobes both made great saves, the game was pushed to an anti-climatic shootout, where the Canadiens emerged victorious.

“Overall, missed the net like 15 times,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube assessed post-game. “At least. I think that’s the number. Good opportunities too. We got to hit the net on those opportunities. And the (power play) has to come through for us, and it didn’t.”

Here are three takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Canadiens: 

Scott Laughton rewarded for a terrific all-around performance

Scott Laughton has been on fire since returning to the lineup, and scored for the third consecutive game. Laughton was terrific on the penalty kill throughout the contest, and was rewarded for some opportunism during the third period. With the Maple Leafs trailing 1-0, Laughton found a gap in the Canadiens’ defence and raced up the ice. Nicolas Roy found Laughton in stride, and the Maple Leafs’ veteran emulated Brian Rolston, winding up with a cannon of a slap shot that pierced the back of the net.

“Yeah, a little fired up there,” Laughton said. “I’ve done it before a couple times. Just thought that was the play, and was lucky enough for it to go in. Definitely was fired up. Wasn’t too happy when they scored on their power play. I let a seam pass go through and they found the next seam, so I tried to get one back there, and found a way to get the extra.”

“He’s such an energy guy around the room, he’ll always bring you a lot of joy,” Leafs forward Nicolas Roy said of Laughton, post-game. “He’s been hot lately, so it’s nice to see him get rewarded. He does all the little plays you don’t really notice usually. He’s been scoring a lot of big goals lately, so he’s a big part of the group.”

The game ended on a damp note, but Laughton was a bright spot for the Leafs and he’s showing off the totality of his game, matching his intangible qualities.

Dennis Hildeby was the Leafs’ best player and deserved a better result

Hildeby made a strong pad save on Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki in the first period, keeping the game scoreless. During a game where Hildeby mitigated the shot differential, his best save occurred during the second period, where he robbed Zachary Bolduc on a breakaway.

Hildeby made another strong save on Josh Anderson at the end of a Canadiens’ power play in the second frame. He made two more terrific saves in overtime, on Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson, respectively. And the Leafs don’t gain a point without the heroics of their makeshift starting goalie.

“He’s been great. Kept us in it, huge saves, huge saves in overtime,” Laughton said of Hildeby, post-game. “Solid. He’s been solid from camp, right from day one, he’s been good every day I’ve seen him. We’re gonna need that going forward here, it’s good to see. He’s a great kid and he deserves it.”

“I thought Dennis kept us in that game,” Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said. “He’s been really good. He’s had a chance to come in and play, and this year he’s ready for the next level, confidence. I like the way how he handles himself, on and off the ice.”

“Every game he’s been in, we’ve had a chance. He’s making big saves. We’re always in the game. I just wish we found one more to get this one for him tonight,” Roy said of Hildeby post-game.

Hildeby is now thrust into a starter’s role, entering the year as the clear-cut third goaltender on the club. He’s played well throughout the season and seems to be taking a leap in his development. It may be mandatory, if the Leafs are to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, amid several injuries.

Maple Leafs’ power play reaches a new low with the game on the line 

“Right now, what I see when I watch it, they’re unsure of themselves, a little bit,” Berube said post-game. “Particularly, the power play in the second period, they moved it well but didn’t take a shot. The shots are there, we’re not taking them. And when we do take a shot, it’s probably the wrong time. They’re not feeling too good about themselves out there. They’re not seeing it right now. Got to work through it. That’s all you can do, and try to create some chemistry here.”

Toronto is now connecting at a 14.1 percent clip, the 30th-best mark in the NHL at the time of this filing. Considering that the unit boasts three elite scorers in Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares, there isn’t room for excuses. During a close game, where the Maple Leafs’ superior offensive talent ought to be accounted for, the man advantage completely faltered down the stretch.

“I thought we had some good looks on the first one. And then, we have to be better in the third. We had a chance to go ahead, and the game is on the line. We have to step up. Obviously, we’re trying to get those guys a little bit more time and space with the puck,” Maple Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said.

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