In a display of skill and speed, Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner glides towards the net, pursued closely by Montreal Canadiens’ Cole Caufield, during the electrifying second period of NHL action held in Toronto on November 9. Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
Emulating the triumphant Toronto Argonauts, who are poised to compete in the Grey Cup, the city’s beloved hockey franchise ensured a spectacular weekend against their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, triumphing with a resounding 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Although the two points earned in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 16th game of this young NHL season may not carry as much weight as the Argos dethroning the reigning CFL champions earlier that same day, it nevertheless underscores the Leafs’ enduring dominance over their Original Six foes. This latest victory marked the Maple Leafs’ ninth straight home win against the Canadiens, equaling the franchise record set between November 1950 and November 1951, although the Canadiens did manage to break that streak most recently during the playoffs in 2021.
However, the matchup ultimately illustrated a stark contrast between two franchises currently pursuing divergent paths.
In the Maple Leafs’ dressing room at Scotiabank Arena, players exuded an air of confidence after securing their third consecutive divisional victory, during which they allowed just two goals while netting an impressive total of 11 against formidable opponents such as Boston, Detroit, and now Montreal.
Meanwhile, across the room, the Canadiens were left to pack their equipment in the wake of their sixth consecutive defeat, now holding a disappointing 4-9-2 record, which places them a daunting 10 points behind the Leafs in the competitive Atlantic Division standings.
“I think they’re all fighting it a little bit,” reflected Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, addressing the struggles facing his players. “It’s hard to do it by yourself in this league. When they’re all fighting it a little bit, I think it’s hard for anybody. We’ll see what we can do to help them out.”
This victory mirrored prior wins this week, both achieved without the presence of captain Auston Matthews, highlighting the critical contributions made by special teams. In a striking turnaround, after scoring a mere three power-play goals in their first 12 games, the Maple Leafs surged to score at least one power-play goal in four straight contests, totaling an impressive seven throughout their three-game winning streak.
“Good win, good week for us, good chance to get away from it tomorrow, enjoy the day and get back to work for another big week ahead,” stated an optimistic John Tavares.
In an initial period characterized by a relative lack of scoring opportunities, the Maple Leafs strategically contained the visiting Canadiens, allowing a mere two shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes. For goaltender Joseph Woll, making only his fourth start of the season, maintaining focus during such a low-action period proved crucial.
Despite their defensive effectiveness, the Leafs found opportunities to contribute offensively. A notable moment came when Connor Timmins and Simon Benoit collaborated on the opening goal, with Timmins expertly maneuvering around Habs forward Josh Anderson before sending the puck off the back of Montreal center Christian Dvorak and into the net past goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
The two shots the Leafs conceded in the first period marked the fewest they’ve allowed in any single period this season, aligning perfectly with the controlled style of play head coach Craig Berube aims to enforce on the defensive side.
“We’re really doing a good job in the slot area, and we’re heavy down low in our zone. Our defensemen are doing a great job of killing plays, and our forwards are protecting the middle of the ice really well. That’s key,” the coach elaborated following the game.
The Maple Leafs wasted no time amplifying their dominance in the second period.
William Nylander showcased his offensive prowess by sprinting end-to-end to net his 11th score of the season, while simultaneously securing his 66th power-play goal, propelling him past the legendary Dave Keon into sixth place in the franchise’s all-time list. Additionally, defenseman Morgan Rielly provided a secondary assist on the play, marking his 400th career assist and joining the elite company of Borje Salming and Tomas Kaberle as one of only three defensemen in Maple Leafs history to achieve such a milestone.
Yet the real fireworks for Toronto’s special teams were just beginning. Working on a short-handed 2-on-1 break, Mitch Marner teamed up with David Kampf, who skillfully drew Montembeault out of position before finding Marner in an open spot, allowing him to score into an empty net for his fourth goal of the season and extending his remarkable point streak to eight games. This goal also marked the 10th short-handed tally of Marner’s career, tying him with Rudy Migay and Lanny McDonald for ninth-most in team history.
The Canadiens managed to claw one back shortly after, striking just past the halfway point of the middle frame when Brendan Gallagher skillfully swatted a rebound out of mid-air and into the net for his seventh goal of the season.
However, the Maple Leafs quickly reestablished their three-goal advantage less than three minutes later. Utilizing a power play, Nylander and Marner effectively maneuvered the puck before setting up Tavares in the slot, where the former captain capitalized on his own rebound to net his eighth goal of the season—his third in barely 24 hours.
While the Canadiens finally displayed a sense of urgency in the third period, generating a flurry of shots, it ultimately proved too late to alter the outcome. The Leafs maintained composure under the pressure, allowing Woll to secure his second victory of the season with 20 saves, while Montembeault ended the night with 23 of his own.
A single disappointment emerged from the night, as forward Max Pacioretty succumbed to injury, falling to the ice in visible pain while clutching the back of his left leg during the first period. He required assistance to leave the ice and did not return to play.
“Hopefully optimistic about that, but, yeah, never easy to see,” expressed Tavares regarding his injured linemate.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for their next match-up—a fourth consecutive Atlantic Division showdown against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday—they ride high on a three-game winning streak, while the Canadiens look ahead to a Monday matinee clash in Buffalo against the Sabres.
**Interview with Sports Analyst Rachel Thompson on Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens Rivalry and Season Performance**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Rachel! The recent match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens ended in a decisive 4-1 victory for the Maple Leafs. What stood out most to you during that game?
**Rachel Thompson:** Thanks for having me! One of the most striking aspects of the game was the sheer dominance displayed by the Maple Leafs throughout the match. Particularly in the first period, they only allowed the Canadiens two shots on goal. That defensive control is impressive, especially against a long-time rival like Montreal.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely, and it seems that the Maple Leafs are on quite a roll this season. They’ve secured their third consecutive divisional victory without their captain, Auston Matthews. What does this say about their depth as a team?
**Rachel Thompson:** It speaks volumes about the depth and resilience of the Leafs. Players like William Nylander and Mitch Marner are stepping up and finding ways to contribute on the scoreboard. The success of their special teams has particularly been noteworthy lately, as they’ve turned around their power-play efficiency. This ability to adapt without their captain is a great sign going forward.
**Interviewer:** On the flip side, the Canadiens seem to be struggling, having faced their sixth loss in a row. What do you think is contributing to their current situation?
**Rachel Thompson:** Their struggles seem to stem from a combination of factors. Coach Martin St. Louis pointed out that the players are individually fighting their own battles, which suggests a lack of cohesion when playing as a unit. The mental aspect of the game can be challenging, especially with a poor record like 4-9-2. They really need to find a way to regroup and build some confidence.
**Interviewer:** With the longstanding rivalry between these two teams, how important was this victory for the Maple Leafs in terms of momentum and legacy?
**Rachel Thompson:** Winning against the Canadiens always holds significant weight in Toronto. This victory not only ties the franchise record for consecutive home wins against them but also reflects the Leafs’ current standing as a dominant force in the league. It helps solidify their psychological edge in the rivalry, which is equally important as the actual points earned in the standings.
**Interviewer:** What should we watch for in the upcoming games for both teams?
**Rachel Thompson:** For the Maple Leafs, maintaining this momentum and continuing to develop their special teams will be key. They’ll need to keep leveraging their depth scoring. As for the Canadiens, they need to work on their team chemistry and find a way to turn this trajectory around. It will be interesting to see how they respond to adversity in their next matchups.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Rachel! Thank you for your time and analysis.
**Rachel Thompson:** Thank you! I’m excited to see how the season unfolds for both teams.
