4 takeaways from Leafs-Blue Jackets: Tavares hits 500 goals, rush defence continues to be alarming

If you turned your attention to Game 5 of the World Series, no one could blame you, as the Toronto Maple Leafs submitted an awful effort in a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Last season, Auston Matthews said the neutral zone was the Autobahn following an October loss to the Blue Jackets. You could deem Wednesday’s game as the Return of the Autobahn.

Toronto’s rush defence continues to be downright alarming through 11 games, and it allowed Columbus to fly through the offensive zone unimpeded throughout the night. Cole Sillinger scored twice, while Mathieu Olivier and Charlie Coyle each had four-point nights for the Blue Jackets, while Zach Werenski, Dante Fabbro and Ivan Provorov also added singles.

John Tavares scored the 500th goal of his decorated career during the third period. Tavares has been the Maple Leafs’ most consistent player and because of the game score, he didn’t celebrate the accomplishment. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube made sure to give Tavares his praise on the bench.

Sammy Blais also scored the for the Maple Leafs in his season debut, while Nick Robertson added a late marker in the third period.

Steven Lorentz left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Here are four takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ 6-3 loss to the Blue Jackets 

Cayden Primeau cannot be a medium-term answer for the Maple Leafs

We don’t enjoy being negative in this space, but we also have to be accurate too. With this caveat out of the way, Cayden Primeau submitted an awful start and it’s clear that he’s nothing more than a short-term answer for the Maple Leafs. Primeau allowed six goals on 22 shots and though he received little support from his teammates, he needed to be much better as well. The 26-year-old did not deliver a single save when called upon and with Anthony Stolarz’s workload reaching Herculean levels early in October, Primeau was forced to remain in the game.

Joseph Woll is working his way back into form after returning to the Leafs, following a personal leave of absence. Woll will eventually return as the Maple Leafs’ second goaltender, and will take some of the pressure off Stolarz. You have to wonder what it will take for Dennis Hildeby to receive a call-up as well, as he’s off to a terrific start with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. We don’t want to pile on Primeau, especially after he won his first two starts but Wednesday was a reminder of his true talent level, during a night where every member of the team is at fault.

John Tavares scores 500th career goal

John Tavares recorded the 500th goal of his career with four minutes remaining in the third period. It’s a shame that Tavares didn’t get a chance to celebrate properly, as the Maple Leafs were well out of the game by then. Tavares has been the Leafs’ most consistent player this year and was a bright spot during an evening where the team capitulated off the rush and rarely seemed threatening, even with a positive shot differential.