4 takeaways from Leafs-Bruins: Matthews exits game, Stolarz pulled from 2nd consecutive start

Stolarz could perhaps be absolved of fault on Pavel Zacha’s opening goal, as David Pastrnak’s centring pass hit Zacha’s skate, and deflected in. The latter two goals were inexcusable. Hampus Lindholm beat Stolarz cleanly from the point on an unassuming wrist shot, that needed to be saved, reestablishing the Bruins’ lead.

Alex Steeves exacted some revenge against the Maple Leafs as well, beating Stolarz cleanly between the legs, as the puck trickled into the net.

Stolarz’s excellent form last year covered up the Maple Leafs’ middling offence at 5-on-5, but this year, he’s been one of the NHL’s worst starters to begin the season. If Joseph Woll aces his conditioning start with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on Wednesday, it may be time to call directly back up to the NHL level. Dennis Hildeby acquitted himself well again on Tuesday, but at this point, the Maple Leafs may need some real reinforcements.

Steven Lorentz is the lone bright spot for the Maple Leafs in tough loss

Steven Lorentz was the lone bright spot for the Maple Leafs, scoring his first goal of the year, while drawing a penalty during the first period. Lorentz picked off Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy, then fired the puck past an unsuspecting Jeremy Swayman to tie the game. It was also the Leafs’ first short-handed goal of the season.

Lorentz, Max Domi (one of the few players to stick up for Matthews by taking on the much larger Zadorov, along with Bobby McMann) and Sammy Blais outshot the Bruins 6-0, with 4:43 of icetime at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick. These numbers don’t matter as much for the fourth line, but they did win their minutes clearly, and this is an encouraging sign for Lorentz, who was rendered a healthy scratch during Sunday’s game. There are no easy solutions for the Maple Leafs, and there will be some changes, but Lorentz ought to stay in the lineup, at least for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Is it time for Henry Thrun to get his first look with the Maple Leafs?

Henry Thrun was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in a trade for Ryan Reaves over the summer. Thrun struggled defensively on a Sharks team that was still several years away from genuine contention, by design, but the Leafs certainly need a change on the blue line. Philippe Myers’ exit attempts haven’t worked at all this year, and he took an undisciplined penalty in the first period that was immediately punished by Pavel Zacha on the ensuing power play, setting the tone for the game.

Who should come out of the lineup? Myers and Simon Benoit are both candidates, while Brandon Carlo has struggled badly alongside Morgan Rielly to start the year. The only unimpeachable player at this point may be Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who adds an element of toughness and fearlessness that the team seems to be lacking writ large. Perhaps William Villeneuve will get into some games as well, as the Maple Leafs sport the worst defence in the league.