Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Campbell, Andersen, Tavares & Robertson (THW)
Toronto Maple Leafs fans cant be happy with Friday nights loss to the Ottawa Senators. The first loss of the Maple Leafs season had to come sooner or later, but the team didnt seem to be dialed in as effectively as it should have been.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Thornton, Liljegren & Lehtonen
In an interview after the game, Auston Matthews called out his entire team by stating that they didnt keep their foot on the gas. Maple Leafs captain John Tavares added that the team simply got behind and had no response. Unlike their first game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens, they didnt have the juice to come back from the deficit.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews celebrates with teammate John Tavares (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
A loss to the Senators isnt the end of the world. Although few expect Ottawa to be contending at seasons end, the Senators are a team thats been improving under the radar. This Senators roster now shows a more solid mix of youth and veteran leadership. Theyve improved during the offseason.
Last nights game also suggests how interesting the times are that were living in. This was the Senators first game in more than 10 months. They didnt show much rust and handled everything the Maple Leafs threw at them.
Item One: Maple Leafs Will Start Jack Campbell in Goal Tonight
After a rough start to the 2020-21 season, Frederik Andersen will sit tonight and backup goalie Jack Campbell will be in net for game two of the back-to-back against the Senators. Campbells been sitting on the bench as a spectator for the Maple Leafs first two games. From that seat, hes watched Andersen give up nine goals.
Jack Campbell, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Last season, after coming to the Maple Leafs from the Los Angeles Kings, Campbell posted a 3-2-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.63 and a save percentage of .915. Obviously, this will be Campbells season debut. He played well in limited games with the Maple Leafs last season, and will be seeking his first win of the 2020-21 season.
Item Two: Frederik Andersen Just Doesnt Look Sharp
I predicted that Andersen would start the season on a hot streak. I was wrong. I excused his first game, suggesting that he let in some soft goals but stopped the puck when he needed to. But, last night seemed different. He gave up five goals on 24 shots during Fridays 5-3 loss to the Senators and didn’t look comfortable at all at least during the first two periods of the game.
Related: The 8 Best Defensive Forwards in Hockey History
Although Andersen made some strong saves during the third period when the Senators were humming and his team tried to mount a comeback, by that time the game was over. As I noted earlier, the veteran goalie has now surrendered nine goals in his first two seasons starts. The situation isnt looking good for a team with such high expectations for this season, and its a problem that simply needs to be fixed.
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Currently, the Danish goalies score sheet is looking pretty ugly. As it stands, Andersen whos a pending unrestricted free agent and playing for a payday now has a 1-1-0 record, a goals-against-average of 4.47, and a save percentage of .839.
Related: Connecticut Whale 2021 Season Preview
Obviously, its only the third game of the season tonight and theres time for Andersen and his team to figure things out. Still, theres a lot of head-scratching in Toronto. This is not how the season was planned.
Item Three: John Tavares Is on a Hot Streak
One Maple Leafs player who hasnt slacked off is John Tavares. The team as a whole was flat in this game; still, Tavares had a productive night. After a three-point game against the Canadiens, he added a goal and assist in Friday nights 5-3 loss. Both Tavares points came with the man advantage. He had the primary assist on Zach Hymans first-period goal and scored the final goal of the game in the third frame.
Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
The 30-year-old Tavares has started the season flying and now has two goals and three assists in his first two games of the season. Although the Maple Leafs won their opener against the Canadiens Wednesday, their even-strength play has to improve if they are to win regularly.
Item Four: Alexander Barabanov Moved to the Taxi Squad, Nick Robertson Moved Up
Alexander Barabanov was moved to the Maple Leafs’ taxi squad earlier today. In the corresponding move, the Maple Leafs called up Nick Robertson. Barabanov played in both of the teams first two games of the season, but he only was on the ice for a total of 9:46 in those games. Barabanov will be able to practice with the team but must be promoted from the taxi squad to play again.
Related: Toronto Maple Leafs | Wendel Clark for Mats Sundin: 25 Years Later
It looks as if Robertson might get a chance to make his regular-season NHL debut in tonights back-to-back against Ottawa. But that hasnt yet been decided. Robertson had a phenomenal season in the OHL last season, scoring 55 goals and 31 assists in only 46 games. He even added a postseason goal for the Maple Leafs. Robertson likely will play in the teams bottom-six if he makes the ice tonight.
Whats Next for the Maple Leafs?
Next is tonight, as the Maple Leafs play the Senators again. One player on the Senators wholl be interesting to watch is their young star Tim Stuetzle, whose birthday was on the same day of his NHL debut.
Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators, first NHL game Jan. 15, 2021 (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Stuetzle, who was third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, played 12 minutes against the Maple Leafs but didnt score a point. It will be interesting to see how he plays in his second game of the season. Hes likely to be a good player for the Senators even this season.
The post Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Campbell, Andersen, Tavares & Robertson appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Thornton, Liljegren & Lehtonen
In an interview after the game, Auston Matthews called out his entire team by stating that they didnt keep their foot on the gas. Maple Leafs captain John Tavares added that the team simply got behind and had no response. Unlike their first game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens, they didnt have the juice to come back from the deficit.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews celebrates with teammate John Tavares (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
A loss to the Senators isnt the end of the world. Although few expect Ottawa to be contending at seasons end, the Senators are a team thats been improving under the radar. This Senators roster now shows a more solid mix of youth and veteran leadership. Theyve improved during the offseason.
Last nights game also suggests how interesting the times are that were living in. This was the Senators first game in more than 10 months. They didnt show much rust and handled everything the Maple Leafs threw at them.
Item One: Maple Leafs Will Start Jack Campbell in Goal Tonight
After a rough start to the 2020-21 season, Frederik Andersen will sit tonight and backup goalie Jack Campbell will be in net for game two of the back-to-back against the Senators. Campbells been sitting on the bench as a spectator for the Maple Leafs first two games. From that seat, hes watched Andersen give up nine goals.
Sheldon Keefe confirms Frederik Andersen tonight, Jack Campbell on Saturday vs. Ottawa. #Leafs #TMLtalk
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 15, 2021
Although the loss last night could not be blamed entirely on poor goaltending, Andersen didnt help his cause. Given that the rest of the team didnt show up well either, its probably a good bet Campbell will benefit from some enriched engagement from his teammates in front of him. Fans should expect the Maple Leafs to offer Campbell more defensive awareness, especially after as I noted earlier giving up nine goals in their first two games of the season.— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 15, 2021
Jack Campbell, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)
Last season, after coming to the Maple Leafs from the Los Angeles Kings, Campbell posted a 3-2-1 record with a goals-against-average of 2.63 and a save percentage of .915. Obviously, this will be Campbells season debut. He played well in limited games with the Maple Leafs last season, and will be seeking his first win of the 2020-21 season.
Item Two: Frederik Andersen Just Doesnt Look Sharp
I predicted that Andersen would start the season on a hot streak. I was wrong. I excused his first game, suggesting that he let in some soft goals but stopped the puck when he needed to. But, last night seemed different. He gave up five goals on 24 shots during Fridays 5-3 loss to the Senators and didn’t look comfortable at all at least during the first two periods of the game.
Related: The 8 Best Defensive Forwards in Hockey History
Although Andersen made some strong saves during the third period when the Senators were humming and his team tried to mount a comeback, by that time the game was over. As I noted earlier, the veteran goalie has now surrendered nine goals in his first two seasons starts. The situation isnt looking good for a team with such high expectations for this season, and its a problem that simply needs to be fixed.
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Currently, the Danish goalies score sheet is looking pretty ugly. As it stands, Andersen whos a pending unrestricted free agent and playing for a payday now has a 1-1-0 record, a goals-against-average of 4.47, and a save percentage of .839.
Related: Connecticut Whale 2021 Season Preview
Obviously, its only the third game of the season tonight and theres time for Andersen and his team to figure things out. Still, theres a lot of head-scratching in Toronto. This is not how the season was planned.
Item Three: John Tavares Is on a Hot Streak
One Maple Leafs player who hasnt slacked off is John Tavares. The team as a whole was flat in this game; still, Tavares had a productive night. After a three-point game against the Canadiens, he added a goal and assist in Friday nights 5-3 loss. Both Tavares points came with the man advantage. He had the primary assist on Zach Hymans first-period goal and scored the final goal of the game in the third frame.
Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
The 30-year-old Tavares has started the season flying and now has two goals and three assists in his first two games of the season. Although the Maple Leafs won their opener against the Canadiens Wednesday, their even-strength play has to improve if they are to win regularly.
Item Four: Alexander Barabanov Moved to the Taxi Squad, Nick Robertson Moved Up
Alexander Barabanov was moved to the Maple Leafs’ taxi squad earlier today. In the corresponding move, the Maple Leafs called up Nick Robertson. Barabanov played in both of the teams first two games of the season, but he only was on the ice for a total of 9:46 in those games. Barabanov will be able to practice with the team but must be promoted from the taxi squad to play again.
Related: Toronto Maple Leafs | Wendel Clark for Mats Sundin: 25 Years Later
It looks as if Robertson might get a chance to make his regular-season NHL debut in tonights back-to-back against Ottawa. But that hasnt yet been decided. Robertson had a phenomenal season in the OHL last season, scoring 55 goals and 31 assists in only 46 games. He even added a postseason goal for the Maple Leafs. Robertson likely will play in the teams bottom-six if he makes the ice tonight.
Whats Next for the Maple Leafs?
Next is tonight, as the Maple Leafs play the Senators again. One player on the Senators wholl be interesting to watch is their young star Tim Stuetzle, whose birthday was on the same day of his NHL debut.
Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators, first NHL game Jan. 15, 2021 (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Stuetzle, who was third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, played 12 minutes against the Maple Leafs but didnt score a point. It will be interesting to see how he plays in his second game of the season. Hes likely to be a good player for the Senators even this season.
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