Leafs Trample the Kings 6-2, keeping their first place position

 

Written by Kyle Boudreau

 

 

(Source:NHL.com)

 

PHOTO BY CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES  Jack Campbell pictured in photo 

 

 

https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401349434

 

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night, looking for revenge for their 5-1 loss to the Kings earlier this month.  The Leaf’s ended up defeating the Kings 6-2, taking over the game in the second period when captain John Tavares, and Pierre Engvall had a goal, and assisted each.  

 

With all the action coming from the Maple Leafs offence, an unsung hero in the game was Leaf’s Goaltender Jack Campbell. He finished the game with 30 saves, putting up a great performance against his former team.  

 

Jason Spezza ended his 24 game slump, as he was able to score for the Leafs in their dominant 2nd period.   Spezza was excited to be contributing again to the Leaf’s scoring.   “Winning is very fun, and it makes a fun atmosphere around the room,”

 

Leaf coach Sheldon Keefe  was extremely impressed with his team’s performance, “I can’t remember the last time we’ve blown a game open like that, in terms of the goals going in, having a second period like that,” 

 

Even with the loss, there were some highlights for the Kings.  Defenseman Sean Durzi looked promising in his NHL debut scoring 1 of Los Angeles 2 Goals for the game.  The team picked up Durzi from the Maple Leafs just under three  years ago.  

 

This was a special game for Durzi, as his first NHL goal was against the team he grew up watching.  Durzi is from Mississauga Ontario, and loved watching the Leafs as a kid.  With this being such a special game, he had a lot of support from his family, and girlfriend  in the building to watch his debut.  

 

 Kings Goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 32 shots, but has not done enough to get the Kings going since their 7 game win streak.  The Kings have now lost their last 4 in a row.  

 

As for Injuries during the game, Davis Krampf left the game due to a direct hit to his head, by LA’s Rasmus Kupari.” “So you hate to see that. I don’t know how much intent was there. Looked pretty accidental to me.”  Keefe said in an interview after the game

 

The Leaf’s have been rolling as of late, now at 13-6-1 and remain first in the Atlantic Division.  They are in a tight race with the Florida Panthers , who are only one win behind them. 

 

As for the Kings they are 7-8 and in 7th place in the Pacific.

 

They  look to snap this losing streak against the Ottawa Senators this upcoming Friday night.

 

The Leafs look to keep it rolling against the Sharks In San Jose, Friday.