The Carolina Hurricanes came back from a two-goal deficit to win 5-4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena.
The Leafs were ahead 4-2 with more than half the game done. The Hurricanes pulled back a goal late in the second period, then dominated the third period by outshooting the Leafs 22-2 and scoring twice to secure their fourth straight win.
Toronto goalie Dennis Hildeby was kept busy, making 46 saves throughout the game. Captain Auston Matthews acknowledged the inconsistency that has become a constant for the Leafs.
“It’s just been the same stuff, just details and execution,” Matthews said during his postgame presser. “I thought we were fortunate to have a lead after two. I mean, if it wasn’t for [Hildeby], three, four breakaways there that we gave up, he made big saves. And just details. I didn’t think we won enough puck battles tonight, and just kind of the repetitive stuff that we just can’t seem to get right or we can’t seem to have consistency over a full 60 minutes.”
In a see-saw first period, the Leafs took the lead with William Nylander scoring the opening goal within 5 minutes. The Hurricanes responded quickly with two goals, but the Leafs answered back with two of their own in just 3:30. John Tavares tied the game at 2-2 before Nylander scored his second of the night to give Toronto the lead heading into the first intermission.
“Well, they’re a good hockey team, and they put a lot of pressure on you,” Tavares said. “So, at times we did some really good things, earned opportunities, and were able to give ourselves a lead. And then our game just for whatever reason becomes really immature, and we don’t manage the game very well.”
Matthews’ second-period goal to make it 4-2 wasn’t enough as Toronto was unable to fend off the Carolina rally.
“Yeah, I mean, we gained some traction, and then we shoot ourselves in the foot again, and just put ourselves in a tough spot,” Tavares added. “So, there’s a ton of hockey left to be played. So, we just got to obviously pick ourselves back up and get ready for the next opportunity and build from there.”
Craig Berube disappointed with Leafs’ overall effort in back-to-back games
On Saturday against the Boston Bruins, the Leafs were unable to build on a high-octane first period that featured 4 goals. Head coach Craig Berube pointed out the glaring issues recurring on Sunday against the Hurricanes and expressed his disappointment.
“Could be immaturity, not a willingness to make the easy play,” Berube said. “Turnover after turnover cost us the game tonight. We didn’t check anybody tonight, we didn’t win any battles tonight. That’s two games in a row.”
The Leafs have now lost twice after a three-game losing streak. They hold an 8-7-1 record and sit third from the bottom in the Atlantic Division with 17 points.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/news-auston-matthews-john-tavares-cite-consistency-issues-really-immature-leafs-squander-two-goal-lead-loss-hurricanes
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