|
 Facing the Dallas Stars, a team with a 4-1 record on the road
entering the game, the Leafs won 4-1 Monday night, recording only
their second win of the season and first in five games at the Air
Canada Centre.
It was also only the Leafs' second win in 11 games this season. For
the announced crowd of 19,087, the win was a rare moment this season
to cheer the home team. The Leafs saluted their fans after the game
ended.
Goalie James Reimer, in net in the only other time the Leafs won
this season, provided Toronto with staunch play, something Toronto
has been sorely lacking this season.
He stopped Dallas right winger Valeri Nichuskin on a penalty shot in
the third period. Reimer repelled 43 of 44 shots and was indeed the
star against the Stars. He gave his stick away to the fans
afterward.
The Leafs had 26 shots.
Right winger Joffrey Lupul paced the Leafs with two goals and three
points. Right winger Brad Boyes and defenseman Morgan Rielly had the
other Leaf goals.
Jamie Benn had the lone Dallas marker.
The Leafs, last in the Atlantic Division, improved to 2-7-2 and
ended a four-game losing streak.
Dallas, which leads the Central Division and is first overall in the
Western Conference, dropped to 9-3. Dallas' three-game win streak
was snapped.
Antii Niemi was in net for Dallas and had a history of success
against the Leafs, including winning twice last season with San
Jose. Niemi's five-game win streak this season also was ended.
The Leafs opened the scoring for only the second time this season
thanks to Boyes' goal at 8:24 of the first period.
Just 58 seconds later, the Stars tied the game on a goal by Benn,
his 10th of the season. Benn, who entered the game leading the
league in scoring with 17 points, fired a low shot from just outside
the faceoff circle that found its way between Reimer's legs.
Rather than sag, the Leafs found a way to regroup.
Boyes had a second goal called back with about five minutes to go in
the first period when Dallas coach Lindy Ruff challenged that the
play was offside. Center Byron Froese indeed entered the Stars' zone
prematurely.
[to top of second column] |
It didn't take long for the Leafs to reclaim the lead. Twenty-one
seconds into the second period, Lupul scored his fourth of the
season on a rebound off a shot from the point by defenseman Morgan
Rielly.
Lupul scored his second of the game at 12:45 of the middle period on
the power play with a wrist shot from the slot. He wasted little
time after center Nazem Kadri fed him a perfect pass from behind the
net.
The goal happened just seconds after Dallas center Radek Faksa was
stopped on a breakaway by Reimer.
NOTES: Dallas recalled C Devin Shore from Texas of the AHL on
Sunday, but he was scratched from the lineup Monday. ... The Stars'
injury list includes LW Curtis McKenzie (lower body), RW Patrick
Eaves (lower body) and LW Travis Moen (upper body). ... The Leafs
activated RW Brad Boyes, who was a healthy scratch in the previous
game, and C Nick Spaling, who missed three games with a lower-body
injury. ... Toronto C Peter Holland, the subject of criticism from
coach Mike Babcock, was a healthy scratch, as was LW Rich Clune, who
was recently signed and played two consecutive games. ... Maple
Leafs D Scott Harrington missed his third consecutive game with an
upper-body injury. ... Toronto D Stephane Robidas, who played a good
chunk of his career with Dallas, has yet to play a game this season
because of a groin injury.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
