Best Win of the Season: Leafs down Preds 3-1

On a night where the two teams directly behind the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up wins, the pressure was on Toronto to collect two points at Bridgestone Arena as they took on the Nashville Predators.

The Nashville Predators have been one of the hottest home teams recently as they rock an 8-1-1 record in their past 10, while also putting up at least 3 goals in each of their last 12 home games. Despite Nashville's home success, the Maple Leafs were the first to strike as it was James Van Riemsdyk showcasing why he has some of the best hands in the league by tipping a Nikita Zaitsev point shot past Pekka Rinne on the Powerplay to make it 1-0 Leafs late in the first period.

In the second period, the Nashville Predators would have a plethora of opportunities as the Maple Leafs went on to take 3-straight penalties in the period. The first of the powerplay opportunities came when Tyler Bozak ended up in the box for interference. However, the Predators would not register a shot on goal with the man-advantage. Their 2nd opportunity was the result of another Bozak penalty, this time for hooking. The Predators powerplay was a bit better this time around, but they still only managed one shot on goal. 4-seconds after the penalty to Bozak expired, the Leafs once again found themselves a man short. This time it was not Bozak, but Leo Komarov taking a hooking penalty. Nashville once again let a powerplay squander by not recording a single shot on goal. When the penalty did expire however, the Predators did register a few shots on goal, but Frederik Andersen was their to shut the door in his first game back between the pipes.

Later in the period, the tables would turn and Tyler Bozak would be the one drawing a penalty as he sent Mike Fisher to the box for hooking. Unlike the Predators, the Maple leafs would make the most of their powerplay and Auston Matthews would score to make it 2-0. After 2 periods Toronto led 2-0, while going 2/3 on the powerplay, while the Predators were a measly 0/4.

In the 3rd, Nashville would slice Toronto's lead in half as the Toronto defense would allow Filip Forsberg to walk in and snipe one pass Frederik Andersen to make it 2-1. The third period was by far Nashville's best period as they outshot the Leafs 13-2, and controlled the play the entire period. The Predators were buzzing late in the period, nit Andersen would not budge, and it was the Maple Leafs who was responsible for both their shots in the 3rd period, Connor Brown who would bury the empty netter. The Toronto Maple Leafs would go on to record their most impressive win of the year as they defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1, holding an opponent to 2 goals or less for the 10th time in their past 12 games.

The Maple Leafs defense had another noteworthy performance on Thursday night. While no defenseman out-shined the other, the unit played well as a whole and was very physical in the battle. Special teams played a big role as the Leafs powerplay went 2/3, while the penalty kill kept the Preds off the board rendering them 0/5 with the man advantage. Frederik Andersen also was stellar between the pipes as the extra rest seemed to serve him well tonight. While Nashville put 30 shots on goal, they directed 62 shots in the direction of Frederik Andersen who has continued his dominant play of late.

Nashville's loss keeps them behind Calgary in the Wild Card, and St. Louis for the 3rd spot in their division. The Predators currently trail both those clubs by one-point. Nashville did not play a bad game by any means, but their inability to get much going on the powerplay and losing the special team battle was the major factor in their loss Thursday night. Nashville who could've clinched a playoff spot tonight, will have to continue their efforts to book their ticket to the NHL Playoffs. They do currently hold a 10-point lead on the team directly behind them. the L.A KIngs, so Nashville's spot seems pretty secure at this point.

Toronto tonight was able to capture their best win of the season. The Leafs battled one of the best home teams in the NHL as of late, and were able to walk into Music City and defeat the Predators in impressive fashion. Toronto benefits greatly from the win tonight as they stay one-point ahead of the Boston Bruins who won, and three-points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning who also won Thursday night. For those looking ahead however, the Maple Leafs now inch to within one-point of the Ottawa Senators as the beaten up Sens dropped their contest against the Minnesota Wild 5-1. If the Leafs were to pass Ottawa for the 2nd spot in the Atlantic Division, Toronto would gain home-ice advantage in their first-round playoff matchup, something the Leafs and their strong home record of 20-10-7 would find beneficial. For now however, the Leafs still cling onto 3rd place in the Atlantic Division are showing signs that they could be a team that may be able to make some noise in the post-season, if the club is able to qualify for the Spring Dance.

*** Next Toronto Maple Leafs game

@ Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, April 1st, 2017 (7:00PM EST)

Shot Attempts: 62-30-Nashville