CALGARY – An entire lineup of rookies within the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup Thursday in a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames left Mitch Marner feeling happy with the arrivals.
Toronto has acquired a half-dozen gamers in trades since Feb. 17 earlier than Friday’s commerce deadline.
“We’re excited in regards to the guys we have introduced in,” Marner stated. “Some huge males who wish to assist this staff obtain huge issues.
“It was nice tonight that everyone dug in. Simply wanted somewhat bit from all people and all people gave it.”
Calle Jarnkrok scored the sport winner early within the third interval and Marner additionally scored for Toronto (38-16-8).
Blake Coleman scored the lone aim for Calgary (27-22-13), which dropped to 3-4-3 in its final 10 video games.
With 20 video games remaining, and the Nashville Predators sizzling on their heels by one level, the Flames trailed the Winnipeg Jets and held a five-point lead for the Western Convention’s second wild card spot.
Toronto is in a much less precarious place second within the Atlantic division.
Linebacker Joseph Woll stopped 25 photographs in his third begin for the Leafs, who had been taking part in their second recreation in as many nights after a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
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Jacob Markstrom was underneath scrutiny in Calgary, however the Swede gave the Flames the goaltending they wanted to win the sport with 32 saves.
Denying William Nylander on a breakaway with lower than a minute left within the second interval saved the sport deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the third interval.
“I believed he was our greatest participant,” Flames head coach Darryl Sutter stated.
After falling 4-3 in additional time to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Flames misplaced one other one-goal recreation to increase their skid to 4 straight losses.
“Powerful loss. Shut once more, however it’s been like this too many instances,” Markstrom stated. “It is irritating to not come away with any factors.
“You do not have to win, however it’s fairly shut now. We won’t simply assume we’ll win 10 in a row, or 15 in a row. We have now to start out with one.”
Jarnkrok scored the go-ahead aim at 2:20 of the third interval.
Markstrom made the preliminary save on a Morgan Rielly solo, however Rielly tipped the puck again to the web for Jarnkrok to tuck underneath the outstretched goaltender’s glove simply earlier than the web was pulled.
Marner tied the Leafs 1-1 at 7:36 of the second interval.
Calgary’s Nazem Kadri scored two minutes later, whereas Marner served a minor with a excessive jab.
Nevertheless, the ability play aim was efficiently challenged for offside by Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
After catching the puck on the prime of the zone, Marner zigzagged via the slot and beat Markstrom’s glove for his eleventh level in his final 5 video games.
“Attempting to go downhill somewhat bit with velocity, make a transfer, make one other transfer,” Marner stated.
Auston Matthews’ help on Marner’s aim was his fourth level in three video games.
Toronto outscored the Flames 10-7 within the opening interval on a pair of power-play probabilities, however the staff that leads the NHL in first-period targets (67) fell behind 1-0.
With the Flames serving an over-man minor, Coleman scored shorthanded for his second aim in as many video games at 2:32 of the primary interval.
Coleman received the bounce on Erik Gustafsson, who missed the puck on the blue line, for a breakaway to beat Woll’s low stick facet.
NEW LEAVES
Defensemen Luke Schenn and Gustafsson suited up of their first video games for Toronto since being acquired this week in trades with Vancouver and Washington, respectively.
Schenn had 4 hits and blocked two photographs.
“Everyone knows he is a giant man, however he threw that physique round,” Marner stated. “It was laborious to play in opposition to him and I do not assume lots of guys like that.”
Facilities Sam Lafferty, Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari and defenseman Jake McCabe are the opposite new Maple Leafs.
FOLLOWING
The Flames start a three-game homestand in opposition to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
Toronto continues west to tackle the Canucks in Vancouver on Saturday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed on March 2, 2023.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
