Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs 5-2 Loss to Red Wings

This is a time when having Joseph Woll as an option in the AHL is a positive for the Maple Leafs. Woll has had a great season in the AHL and an equally solid NHL season, albeit in limited action. Woll’s record in two seasons with the Maple Leafs is 6-2-0 with a .922 save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average. This season, he’s 3-1-0 with a .934 save percentage and a 2.03 goals-against average.

While it’s uncertain yet if the Maple Leafs will need to call him up to the NHL, having him as a competent backup option should provide some peace of mind for the organization.

Takeaway Two: Is Michael Bunting Being Unfairly Treated?

Michael Bunting has been drawing the attention of officials in recent games. He’s a pest and walks on, or sometimes steps over, the line. At the end of the second period, he was assessed a a 10-minute misconduct. Was it fair? His coach obviously thought not.

Maple Leafs’ head coach Sheldon Keefe shared his point of view after the game. He noted that Bunting had “eaten three crosschecks” and hinted that Bunting was protecting himself. He also believed that “it’s the way he has been officiated lately.”

Obviously, Bunting has been trying to play his aggitating game and navigate the treatment from officials at the same time. But, that’s a tough path to walk for the second-year player. He’s been taking a pounding recently by receiving crosschecks and punches to the face. Even when he was clearly crosschecked in Sunday’s game, he was also penalized for embellishing. He’s done something to anger the officials.

Keefe noted to reporters that general manager Kyle Dubas would “take up the situation with the league.” At the same time, Bunting needs to stay focused and keep playing. The truth is that there are probably some ways Bunting can mediate the officiating, but that’s a learning that comes with experience.

Takeaway Three: Ilya Samsonov Battled But His Team Couldn’t Generate Goals

When Murray went out, his goalie partner Samsonov went in. The made some great saves, but didn’t make enough of them. After the game, coach Keefe noted that Samsonov was put in a tough spot going in the back-to-back game.

He battled and coach Keefe believed Samsonov gave the team more than enough opportunity to come back in the game. But, Keefe also noted that the Red Wings’ goalie was really good. And that’s the truth.

Nedeljkovic didn’t allow the Maple Leafs skaters to capitalize on their chances.