The Toronto Maple Leafs will look like to build an incomplete win when they hit the way to meet the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
Maple Leafs starts a four-game trip on the heels on a 6-3 Hem-ice victory over Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Toronto saw a lead of 4-0 becoming a goal on a goal when Carolina scored a trio of goals in less than three minutes during the third period, but Maple Leaf’s sealed victory thanks to a pair of empty-net goals.
“Some unfortunate bounces, but it was a good win,” said ahead Steven Lorentz. “We’ll take it right after the break, after ten days off. We are happy with it and only come back to it (Sunday).”
Thanks to four wins in five matches, Maple Leafs is one point behind Florida Panthers for the top position in the Atlantic Division and has two matches in hand.
Of the half-dozen markers that Toronto collected in the Carolina victory, two were significant milestones. Captain Auston Matthew’s insurance goal was the 389th of his career, who moved him to a draw with Darryl Sittler for second place on Toronto’s list of all the time. Mats Sundin is the franchisee with 420.
In addition, Alex Steeves, 25-year-old, was called the American Hockey League in goal this season with 29, from minors and opened the point with his first career NHL goal in their 12th big league match.
“It felt really good. A little relief. It was nice to get the game going so,” said Steeves. “Anytime someone is called, you just want to influence. Goals are nice. I’m a goal score and I know I can be goal scores at this level.”
The Blackhawks are at the other end of the spectrum.
Chicago, who is just ahead of the San Jose sharks in the overall position, returns home after suffering a 5-1 road loss to Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Although they are in a rebuild and intended to end far from a playoffs, the losses – especially in the way the Columbus defeat occurred – have the Chicago players.
“Frustrating. Especially comes off the break and a few days of the exercise to prepare us,” said forward Craig Smith. “That’s how it goes, but it is frustrating. It is unacceptable. It is embarrassing. At a certain point it becomes embarrassing. We must continue to dig deep, personally, before each game.”
The Blackhawks fell after early and managed to pull close to 2-1 halfway through the store but was no match when Blue Jackets pulled away, which left them with just one victory in six games and two in 10 games.
Although the Blackhawks have a long way to go to a challenger, interim coach Anders Sorensen has the job of finding ways to motivate his players along the route, especially in play against teams either struggles to make the playoffs or solidify their position in the position.
“Pride. You have pride as a player and have pride as a group,” said Sorensen. “Let’s be honest, there are many guys you play for your future, if it is for us or with someone else. You have to be ready to go. For you proud of what you do. I do it don’t think it should mean where you are in the position. ”
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