Bertuzzi had a pair of assists, and the entire Maple Leafs team played strong defensively in the win.
Bertuzzi had a pair of assists, and the entire Maple Leafs team played strong defensively in the win.
A win for the Maple Leafs in their first game of the California road trip? Check.
In the first game of 2024, Toronto was looking to bounce back after losses in three straight games. Against a difficult team like the LA Kings, though, the Maple Leafs needed to make life tough on the home squad, which they did.
Three goals from Toronto's middle-six and a shutout from third-string and now starter Martin Jones had the Maple Leafs smiling, eager to make the most of their time in California.
For Toronto fans, though, they had something to smile about before the game. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported that he and the Maple Leafs were nearing a contract extension. The panel, on Tuesday, featuring Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman, discussed it further, reporting that a deal could get done soon.
Funny enough, the 27-year-old, a hot topic during the first intermission, was the first player to get the Maple Leafs on the board in Los Angeles.
Tyler Bertuzzi with some great forechecking to pressure the Kings' defence. John Tavares would intercept the puck and find Bertuzzi, who makes a great pass to Nylander. The 27-year-old would beat Cam Talbot for his 18th goal of the season just over five minutes into the second period.
Although Nylander's 13-game point streak ended on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, he continued his red-hot streak, now with 23 points in his last 15 games.
Toronto, this season, has gotten flack for not standing up for their teammates after questionable hits. However, they stood tall after Pierre-Luc Dubois took Auston Matthews into the boards awkwardly.
Matthews would be okay, though he would also draw a penalty on the play. Just as the power play concluded, Calle Jarnkrok would beat Talbot for his ninth goal this season.
Yet again, though, it's Bertuzzi involved in the goal.
The 28-year-old's work along the boards came to the forefront on this play as he won the battle against Andreas Englund, missing a glove, before finding Jarnkrok in front. That was Bertuzzi's second assist in the game and 10th helper on the season.
One of the strengths for Toronto through two periods was their fourth line of Noah Gregor, David Kampf, and Bobby McMann. The trio, through two periods, had allowed 0.00 expected goals and created numerous chances.
And as much as the goaltending has been a hot topic as of late, Jones stood tall, stopping all 31 shots against for his second shutout of the season with the Maple Leafs as they leave Los Angeles with a 3-0 win.
Maybe we see Dennis Hildeby on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks?
Either way, it was a strong effort from the entire Maple Leafs team as they didn't let the Kings get a sniff of a comeback on Tuesday night.
Related
'It Could Happen This Week': William Nylander and Maple Leafs Reportedly Nearing Contract Extension
News from THN.com
First-Ever NHL Winter Classic Shutout was 'The Perfect Game' for the Seattle Kraken
THN Archive: 1990 World Juniors Led to Star-Studded Rankings That Included Jagr, Bure and Lindros
Ottawa Senators Name Steve Staios as Permanent GM, Hire Dave Poulin