Leafs Lose Another Late In Chicago

One concern for the Toronto Maple Leafs entering their road contest against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night was whether goalie Joseph Woll would be rusty after an accelerated ramp up to simulate training camp and two games in the American Hockey League. That hurdle was cleared, as Woll played well, making 29 saves in his first start of the season. 

Unfortunately, the Leafs blueline made a few critical errors and did not have a great deal of success converting against Hawks goalie Spencer Knight, managing just a pair of goals on 33 shots in a 3-2 loss at the United Center. 

Nick Robertson and Morgan Rielly scored for Toronto, erasing a first period Chicago lead, but in the third, Teuvo Teravainen tied the game and Colton Dach’s deflection of a point shot with 4:25 left in regulation sealed the Leafs fate and handed them their fifth straight loss and four in regulation to fall under .500.

Once again, Toronto was undone by their depth on defense, as another righty in Brandon Carlo was scratched with a lower body injury. His replacement Philippe Myers was directly responsible for Ryan Greene’s opening goal and Teravainen’s tying marker, as in each instance he drifted from the right side and left his defense partner exposed.  

There are other reasons for the Leafs struggles so far, but their lack of depth on the blueline from Myers and Dakota Mermis (dubbed the M and M boys for misery and mediocrity) has cost them numerous times this season. That was the reason why Toronto claimed defenseman Troy Stecher from the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The 31-year-old played 66 games for the Oilers and eight playoff games in their run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, but this year played only six times.

The hope is that the veteran righty will provide the “do no harm” aspect that is desirable for from bottom pairing defenders. Stecher is unspectacular, but has played 566 games in his NHL career with seven teams and should be capable of not sabotaging the Leafs as Myers and Mermis have done in at least three games this season.