Despite extending his streak of games with at least one goal to six, forward Auston Matthews left the ice looking pitiful on Thursday after one of the most miserable nights of his National Hockey League career.
In fact, his Toronto Maple Leafs went through hell at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, who humiliated them 9-3 despite the presence of many blue-and-white-clad fans in the KeyBank Center stands. They had to go back to November 18, 2014 to recreate the last game in which the Leafs forfeited nine times.
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Aside from Matthews' 26th goal of the season, Queen City fans will certainly want to forget this sad, but doubtful, setback.
“Overall, it was one of the worst games since I've been here,” the ice hockey star told the media bluntly, as the Toronto Sun newspaper reported. It is difficult to identify a specific factor. I think the whole thing was disappointing. Embarrassment is probably the perfect word to describe what happened from start to finish. It wasn’t enough and it was a bad hockey game on our part.”
“I can offer no explanation for this. We’re not going to analyze it from the ground up, but we’re not going to forget it,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said.
Worrying
While he and Matthews didn't want to blame anyone, the fact remains that the goalkeepers' performance has left many observers perplexed. Ilya Samsonov struggled, conceding five goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Martin Jones in the second period. The veteran didn't fare much better as he gave up four times in 15 throws. The Leafs are at risk of missing Joseph Woll even more as he is sidelined with a sprained ankle, which could force him to be inactive for a few more weeks.
Until then, the masked men have to roll up their sleeves.
“It's very difficult at the moment,” admitted Samsonov. I have to clear everything in my head first. It's not a question of technology, just a question of mind. I have to take care of it.”
“I want to change this as quickly as possible, but sometimes life doesn't work that way. “I’m going to keep fighting,” added the man who has conceded 19 goals in his last three starts and has an .871 efficiency percentage this season.
Nevertheless, Keefe still seems to have confidence in his goalkeeper.
“We have to play better in front of him so he has a chance to get back on track and win,” he said. They always mention the word worry. That's not the right way to sum it up. We need to be more vigilant and support him in his work.”
The Leafs will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on the Saturday before the holiday break.