"McCabe wasn't a standout physical presence in the first stretch of games this season - after finishing second on the defense in hits last season (behind Simon Benoit), he was credited with only 10 hits in his first seven games - but he certainly put his stamp on this game late in the first period tonight. The Leafs had lost three straight games, were down 1-0 in the first period, and shots were 11-4 Buffalo when McCabe levelled Bowen Byram as Byram wound up to shoot."
"In the shifts following the power play (which had a few looks), OEL threw two hard hits - one to finish his man along the end wall, and one in open ice in the neutral zone. Before the period was through, the Leafs scored a cycle goal (a rarity this early season) stemming from hard work down low by Auston Matthews and Easton Cowan to set up Nick Robertson in the slot. Also before the first intermission, Simon Benoit stung Tage Thompson with a cross-check in front of the Leaf net (OEL was penalized earlier in the period for a cross-check on Peyton Krebs in front)."
McCabe delivered a decisive physical impact late in the first period, leveling Bowen Byram and then dropping Alex Tuch, which produced a Toronto power play. OEL followed with two heavy hits, and the Leafs converted after sustained work down low by Auston Matthews and Easton Cowan to set up Nick Robertson. Simon Benoit cross-checked Tage Thompson before intermission. The five-on-five play was largely even across shots, attempts, and chances, and the Leafs showed renewed competitive edge to halt a losing streak. John Tavares continued his hot start with multiple multi-point outings and strong early-season production.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]