3/82: Monday, October 13 vs. Detroit Red Wings

I just now realized I forgot to add the final score of the game in the first two recaps. Summer withdrawals are hitting hard.

Final Score: Leafs 2, Red Wings 3

Now in his second season with Detroit, 38-year-old Caledonia native Cam Talbot stopped 38 of 40 shots the Leafs put on him to earn a home-and-home sweep.

Credit where it’s due. The Red Wings offense only managed 15 shots on Anthony Stolarz all game. At one point, they hadn’t put a puck his way on over 12 minutes of game time. But three pucks did find their way past the 6’6, 248lb goalie. The winning goal came with 45 seconds left in regulation, off Mason Appleton’s stick as he was falling. A great shot and it looked like an impossible save to make.

This was an especially back-breaking goal after the Leafs had clawed their way back to a tie game after Dylan Larkin and James van Riemsdyk (making his Detroit debut) gave the Red Wings a 2-0 lead.

Matthew Knies’ first of the year and Calle Jarnkrok’s third goal in as many games drew the home team level.

Fans were undoubtedly looking for a positive sign after the Jays lost their ALCS opener to Seattle the previous night. That didn’t go too well either on Monday… Here’s hoping the Jays can fight their way back in Seattle tomorrow as the Leafs did for a moment Monday.

The Leafs’ power play was 0/2 and just didn’t generate enough solid scoring chances. Despite the tilted shot total (and face-off wins) for the Leafs, Talbot - a veteran now in his 13th NHL season - saw almost everything and made it difficult for Toronto to beat him Monday afternoon.

The Leafs look to get back in the win column tonight against the Nashville Predators. 7pm puck drop.