It only took two games for the dream of 82-0 to die — the Toronto Maple Leafs drop Game 2 to the Detroit Red Wings 6-3. Zack Phillips goes live on TLN After Dark to break down every storyline from a frustrating night in Detroit.
From careless defensive play and lack of intensity from stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander, to early bright spots like Nic Roy’s first goal as a Leaf, Max Domi’s shoot-first mentality, and another solid showing from Anthony Stolarz, Zack covers it all.
He also touches on Matias Maccelli’s fit beside Matthews, the injury to Steven Lorentz, and what Toronto must fix before Monday. Presented by bet365, with the Uber Eats Stat of the Day and viewer super-chat reactions benefitting SickKids Charity.
Stay tuned for the Play of the Game, Grade of the Game, and Zack’s bet365 Best Bet segment — plus, don’t miss the smelling-salts celebration at 50 likes!
Subscribe for live post-game Leafs coverage all season long on The Leafs Nation YouTube Channel.
Chapters:
00:00 — Dream of 82-0 is over
01:02 — Don’t panic (yet) – themes through two games
02:42 — Super Chats for SickKids Charity
03:32 — Early issues carry from preseason
04:32 — Lack of intensity & defensive breakdowns
06:32 — Power play going through the motions
07:32 — Matthews & Nylander called out
08:42 — Effort vs execution discussion
10:27 — Patrick Kane goal breakdown & puck-watching
11:32 — Why these habits are dangerous long-term
12:32 — Positives segment begins
13:32 — Nic Roy’s first goal as a Leaf
15:32 — Matias Maccelli offense vs defense
18:32 — Anthony Stolarz early heroics
20:12 — Max Domi finally shoots more (often)
26:02 — Uber Eats Stat of the Day 📊
27:47 — Domi’s first goal of the season
29:32 — Super Chat reaction: Matthews criticism
33:32 — OEL struggles & playing off-side
36:32 — Leafs’ speed debate vs Florida’s style
41:32 — Why it’s too early to panic
44:32 — Subscribe goal & channel updates
46:02 — Injury updates (Laughton, Lawrence, Yarn Croke)
51:02 — bet365 Best Bet Recap (Nylander miss)
54:47 — Play of the Game: Nic Roy Tip-In
58:17 — Deserve-to-Win Meter and chat reaction
59:42 — Grade of the Game (D) review
01:02:02 — Power-play & defensive concerns summary
01:04:17 — Final thoughts & smelling-salts celebration
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15 Comments
Did you not say in the pre game show, that "the red wings are a worst team than the habs"? And yet the leafs were awful if not for Stolarz.
You say, "its game 2 of the season and you can't be playing this type of game when in the playoffs"? They need to get to the playoffs first don't you think?
Again Matthews was invisible 😮😮😮
Clear? Marner wasn't the problem – can't hide anymore Matthews
Wow Zack, you spent the whole show defending the pathetic team, I check out after 30 minutes, starting to think you’re afraid to criticize them, because you want their autographs and friendship, oh well back to listening to JD and Sammy, you sucked tonight, bro.
No playoffs this year
Mathews looks hurt 😮
the team will never out play its captain…. and it shows
Berube thinks Domi is a good Center and did a great job at Center last season!!! That really makes me question him as a good coach!!??
Berube spoke to Domi about taking more shots!!! He said that a few times during training camp! You must have missed it?
Yes the shot is 100% back for Matthew's!!
A fall off by OEL isn't something that'll serve the Leafs well!!! Please, to the hockey God's, prevent this from occurring on a regular basis!!!
The way that Matthew's come into camp, he seemed so upbeat and in a good frame of mind! I thought he was set to come out all guns firing!!! BOY WAS I WRONG!
Best Prospect is in the press box, while we can't get 3rd and 4th lines to function, our stars look dazed and confused Again…Sigh.
Should we Tank for McKenna alread?
Players often talk about the preseason games as a chance to shake off the rust and break bad habits from summer hockey, yet the Leafs didn't seem to even put in the effort to do that. The result is yet another slow October start.
It's not a 5-alarm fire, but the things we knew on July 1st are the things we still see today. No truculence even with the additions. No obvious heir apparent to play 1RW. Slow, conservative, simple style that is easy to coach against. No vigor, no energy. And they're definitely a top 6 forward short, plus another mobile puck-handling dman.
Beat me, whip me, but I'd like to see OEL – Myers, or Benny – Myers. Either of those guys playing their off side is not an option, ever.
As for Maccelli. I disagree. I don't think he's remotely close to being a top line player against the opponents' best checking line. Never mind his defensive play. More often than not, he was forced into flipping passes to seemingly random spots. A few decent plays, but I see a guy reacting late to his linemates rather than complimenting them. I'd be shocked if he's still in the top six when Laughton and Lorentz are back in the lineup.