"During the first game of a three-game road trip, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to show up, losing 4-0 to the Washington Capitals. It's not even worth pointing out the exemptions during a comprehensive loss, although it may be unfair to pin the loss on goaltender Dennis Hildeby, who fought valiantly on a night where his team couldn't meaningfully generate real offence or possession. Jakob Chychrun scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season, afforded plenty of time to get his blistering shot off."
"Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube tried to make some in-game adjustments after the first period, but nothing worked, and the power play reached a new low on Thursday. "They played with more passion than we did tonight," Berube said post-game. "That's what it boils down to. It looked to me like they had way more urgency in their game, more passion in their game. That's the difference." "Ask those guys. Don't ask me.""
"Auston Matthews managed to spin a season-worst performance through two periods into a two-point effort, leading a galvanizing comeback against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. This simply wasn't the case on Thursday, against a far superior Capitals team that has allowed the fewest goals at 5-on-5 in the NHL. Matthews accounted for one shot, and a loaded up line featuring Matthew Knies and William Nylander were outshot 7-0 at 5-on-5 before Berube had enough."
The Washington Capitals defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 in the first game of a three-game road trip. Dennis Hildeby made numerous saves but received little support from an offense that failed to create possession or quality chances. Jakob Chychrun scored twice, Aliaksei Protas opened the scoring, and John Carlson added an insurance goal in the third period. Alexander Ovechkin hit the post twice. The coach attempted in-game adjustments after the first period but nothing worked, the team showed less passion and urgency, and the power play reached a new low. Auston Matthews and William Nylander recorded no shots at 5-on-5.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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