"John Tavares, William Nylander, and rookie Easton Cowan look better by the game. Nylander and Cowan are finding each other more often and are making dazzling plays. Cowan is becoming more confident by the game and has earned a permanent spot in the top six. He needs to play with other skilled players. He and Nylander combined on a gorgeous give-and-go goal to give the Leafs a 2-1 first-period lead, and Toronto never looked back."
"Maple Leafs' coach Craig Berube's office is likely strewn with crumpled paper of different line combinations. Injuries and a lack of cohesion have been the season's theme to date, causing Berube some sleepless nights. Healthy scratching some veteran players has got their attention. Dakota Joshua has played his best two games as a Leaf since being scratched against the Columbus Blue Jackets."
"With their forward lines clicking in a way they haven't all season, another composed outing in net, and a second period that tilted the ice entirely in their favor, Toronto's 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins felt less like a one-off and more like a blueprint for how good this group can be. It was easily the Maple Leafs' most complete game of the season."
Toronto produced a complete performance in a 7-2 win over Pittsburgh, driven by a dominant second period that tilted the game decisively. Forward lines clicked, with Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy and Bobby McMann combining for goals and physical play. John Tavares, William Nylander and rookie Easton Cowan showed growing chemistry, highlighted by a give-and-go that opened the scoring. Healthy scratches and lineup adjustments energized veterans and depth players. Composed goaltending helped preserve the margin. The victory provided confidence after a demoralizing loss and suggested a replicable blueprint when lines mesh and effort is consistent.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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