"It was evident right from the jump that the Leafs just simply didn't have it in this game. Utah dictated the pace nearly the entire game. All night, the Leafs looked exhausted. Making matters significantly worse is that not only did the Leafs look physically tired, but they weren't present mentally, either. The defensive-zone coverage was sloppy and lazy, leading to numerous chances throughout the game, including countless grade-A opportunities in the final moments after Toronto fully checked out."
"It started early, as Auston Matthews and William Nylander had some sort of miscommunication/misplay in the neutral zone, leading to a turnover. On the rush, four Leafs committed to one Mammoth skater and got caught puck-watching, opening up a seam pass that forced Dennis Hildeby to make a big save and Matthews to block the rebound. But Utah kept up the pressure, and Nylander got crossed up with Matias Maccelli in coverage at the point, leading to a wide-open one-timer for Michael Carcone."
"The Leafs had an opportunity to tie the game midway through the first - their first real scoring chance - as on a power play, John Tavares fed Nylander with a nifty little pass down low, but Nylander couldn't bury. That was the only real chance the power play generated all night, as the Leafs struggled to maintain possession in the offensive zone at 5v4."
Coming off an intense overtime win in Colorado, the Maple Leafs lost in regulation in Utah on the second half of a back-to-back. Utah dictated pace throughout the game while Toronto looked physically and mentally drained. Early miscommunication between Auston Matthews and William Nylander resulted in a turnover and a sequence that produced a goal by Michael Carcone. The Leafs managed only one notable power-play chance when John Tavares fed Nylander, but sustained offensive pressure at 5v4 was lacking. Late in the first, an apparent Utah rebound goal was negated when an official blew the whistle.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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