Leafs fall to Coyotes 2-0

The Maple Leafs were looking to extend their win streak to three games Saturday in Arizona, but the Coyotes had other plans: they forechecked well, collapsed in their own zone around goaltender Darcy Kuemper, and prevented any Leaf from scoring as they defeated the Buds 2-0.

LEAFS STYMIED BY COYOTES' DEFENCE THROUGH ALL THREE PERIODS

Arizona set the tone in the first period by outshooting the Leafs 11-4 in the first 20 minutes of action, and they never let Toronto win on the shot counter in any period. The shots were 19-10 through the first two periods, and the Coyotes generated the only goals of the game when Arizona forwards Alex Galchenyuk and Josh Archibald scored within a 2:40-span early in the second frame. And Arizona dominated the faceoff circle, winning 54 percent of puck-drops.
Leafs forward William Nylander appeared to cut Arizona's lead in half at the 2:53 mark of the third, but the goal was disallowed after a review, with officials ruling Nylander had a high stick when he knocked the puck past Kuemper.
That was as close to producing offence as Toronto got Saturday, even after Leafs head coach Mike Babcock altered his lines as the game progressed. At one point, he'd put centre Auston Matthews with Kasperi Kapanen and Mitch Marner. However - and although the Leafs did show some gumption in the third period - Toronto couldn't get anything past Kuemper.

AFTER LOSS TO 'YOTES, LEAFS' ATTENTION TURNS TO RED-HOT BLUES

The Leafs' attention now pivots toward the St. Louis Blues - also known as the NHL's hottest team, and one that's taking a nine-game win streak into Minnesota on Sunday. So the Leafs will be a little more rested for the game, but they'll either be taking on a team that's won 10 in a row, or one that's just lost and is focused on getting back in the win column as quickly as possible. And that means the Leafs have to improve their performance on the power play - they were 0-for-4 against Arizona - and be better in executing when it comes to zone exits.
That Blues game will be the final of a six-game road trip for the Leafs, but there's no solace to be found at Scotiabank Arena - Toronto's first three opponents at home (Washington, Montreal and Buffalo) will present tough tests - and they've now got a chance for a big win over a white-hot Blues squad.
For that matter, every game the Leafs will play has a chance to be big, and every point they gain in the standings is crucial to their playoff positioning. The pressure is on, the Leafs expect it, and they've responded well in the big picture. That ought to give Leafs Nation confidence as their team tries to shake off Saturday's loss and puts in a strong showing Tuesday.