LEAFS HOLD BLUES SCORELESS THROUGH FIRST PERIOD, BUT SURRENDER THREE IN SECOND FRAME

Toronto was aiming to get back on track after losing 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, but on this Saturday night, they were taking on a St. Louis Blues squad that was on a three-game losing streak and looking for its second win in six games this season. So the Blues came out focused and determined to keep the Buds' skaters to the outside of goaltender Jake Allen, and for two periods, they did a solid job of it, limiting the Leafs to only eight shots on net and no goals through 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Leafs did much of the same work at the other end of the ice, keeping the Blues' scoring opportunities to a minimum: they allowed St. Louis to get only 13 shots on goaltender Frederik Andersen in the first two periods and prevented the visitors from scoring in the first. But as the game went on, the Blues began to take control of the middle of the ice in front of Toronto's net, and when St. Louis scored at 4:45 of the second frame, the Leafs didn't respond with offence of their own.

That led to the Blues getting two more goals - one from Zach Sanford at 13:05 of the second; and the other from Ryan O'Reilly at 16:37 of the period - and taking a strong hold on the game heading into the second intermission.

With the Maple Leafs coming off a 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday at Scotiabank Arena, centre Nazem Kadri could've allowed the fact he's still seeking his first goal of the season get to him mentally. But, in a huge credit to the type of professional Kadri has become, he did the exact opposite.

LEAFS PUT TONS OF SHOTS ON PENS' MURRAY, BUT HAVE WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT FIVE GAMES

The Leafs were riding a five-game win streak entering Thursday's game, but had their work cut out for them against a difficult Pittsburgh Penguins squad. And so, despite goaltender Frederik Andersen returning to action from a lower-body injury and stopping 35 of 36 shots faced, Toronto's offense was plugged up in front of netminder Matt Murray.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the club has loaned goaltender Eamon McAdam to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

When he started this season's training camp, winger Kasperi Kapanen wasn't assured of anything. But the 22-year-old has made the most of the opportunities Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has extended to him - posting four goals and eight points in Toronto's seven games this year - and although he's happy for his individual success, he's most pleased to play a role in the team's strong start to the campaign.

KAPANEN NETS LEAFS' FIRST GOAL FOR SECOND STRAIGHT GAME WITH EARLY FIRST-PERIOD MARKER

The Leafs were carrying a four-game win streak heading into Monday's match against the Kings, and, just like he did in Toronto's 4-2 victory over Washington, winger Kasperi Kapanen had the Buds' first goal of the night:

Video: LAK@TOR: Kapanen scores, Matthews extends streak

This time, Kapanen netted the goal just 46 seconds into the game, finding a way to bank the puck in off the back of Kings goaltender Jack Campbell for his third goal of the season. It was a creativ-minded marker that instantly gave Toronto and the crowd at Scotiabank Arena energy and confidence, and had the visiting Kings on their heels right off the hop.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the club has recalled goaltender Eamon McAdam from the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) on an emergency basis. Frederik Andersen is listed as day-to-day with a knee injury.

LEAFS SURRENDER FIRST GOAL EARLY IN FIRST, BUT PULL EVEN IN SECOND

The Leafs' tilt with the Capitals was the last of a four-game road trip for Toronto, and the Buds allowed the first goal of the night - and the only goal of the period - just 18 seconds into the game. But the Leafs showed resilience early in the second frame, and their work paid off with the game-tying goal at 3:30 of the period:

Video: TOR@WSH: Kapanen pots wicked redirection five-hole

Winger Kasperi Kapanen registered his second goal of the year on the scoring play when he deflected defenceman Ron Hainsey's shot from the point past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby. Hainsey's assist extended his points streak to three games, and centre Auston Matthews' secondary assist was his fourth helper of the season and 13th point of the year.

It also gave Matthews at least a point in every one of Toronto's six games this season, but more importantly, it was a push-back-goal against the defending Stanley Cup champions early enough in the game to prevent the Caps from striking for a second goal and getting a confidence boost.

LEAFS GIVE UP FIRST GOAL, BUT TIE IT WITH RIELLY GOAL BEFORE INTERMISSION

Toronto was seeking its third win in a row after Tuesday's 7-4 victory over Dallas, and Thursday's game was their second-to-last in a four-game road trip. So some might have surmised the Leafs were tired in surrendering the first goal against the Red Wings 7:18 into the opening period, but that theory would soon be proven wrong. Indeed, at 15:48 of the first frame, the Buds evened the score at a goal apiece on defenceman Morgan Rielly's third goal of the season:

Video: TOR@DET: Rielly finishes off Marner's sweet feed

TORONTO, ON, October 9, 2018 - The Toronto Maple Leafs will host its inaugural Leafs Gaming Day on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Real Sports Bar & Grill in Toronto. The event will feature EA SPORTS NHL 19 and Fortnite gaming with Toronto Maple Leafs players, members of popular gaming collective FaZe Clan, the top eight ranked players from the Leafs Gaming League online ladder, gaming enthusiasts and fans.