Red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs victorious against the San Jose Sharks
By Neil Becker
Rookie Toronto Maple Leafs backup Joseph Woll is proving to be a solid NHL goaltender.
Coming off a 20 save performance in shutting out the New York Islanders, Woll was once again money as he made 34 saves in leading the Leafs to a Friday night 4-1 road win against the San Jose Sharks.
The Leafs, who have started their three game California road swing with wins against the Los Angeles Kings and now the Sharks, have been simply dominant this month as they have posted an 11-3 record in November. Sporting an impressive 15-6-1 overall record, Toronto has now pulled into a tie with the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Looking to get payback for a 5-3 October loss to San Jose at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto’s offence was led this time around by two- point performances from forwards William Nylander and John Tavares.
Toronto, who have now won eight of their last nine didn’t waste time getting on the board as Nylander opened the scoring with his eighth goal 32 seconds into regulation on former Leafs goalie James Reimer.
San Jose, who came into Friday nights action sporting an impressive 5-3-1 home record, didn’t waste time in making it a brand- new game as veteran forward Nick Bonino scored his second of the season at the 4:44 mark to make it a brand- new game.
However, things didn’t stay tied for long as Wayne Simmons, who has been snake bit for a lot of the year, scored his second of the season 5:16 into the first on a text book deflection which put the Leafs ahead 2-1 heading to the second.
Showing that killer instinct the Leafs fired 11 second period shots and took control on the scoreboard as Austin Matthews scored 4:57 in with his ninth goal. Generating all sorts of chances, Toronto was once again rewarded when less than six minutes Tavares rounded out the scoring with his 10th which came on the power play.
The red-hot Leafs will be looking to complete the three game California road swing sweep on Sunday night with an 8 p.m. puck drop against the Anaheim Ducks.
Game Summary
First Period
0;32 William Nylander (8), John Tavares (10), Morgan Rielly (11) Tor 1 San Jose 0
4;44 Nick Bonino (2), Noah Gregor (1), Erik Karlsson (8), Tor 1 San Jose 1
5:16 Wayne Simmons (2), David Kampf (4), Nick Ritchie (4), Tor 2 San Jose 1
Second Period
4:57 Austin Matthews (9), Michael Bunting (7), Timothy Liljegren Tor 3 San Jose 1
10:44 PPG John Tavares (10), William Nylander (11), Mitch Marner (12) Tor 4 San Jose 1
Third Period
No Scoring