Hidden Game: Canadiens' chronic second-period futility leads to another loss

Auston Matthews scores his 64th goal this season for the playoff-bound Leafs, while Montreal plays out the string.

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We were curious to see how the Toronto Maple Leafs would respond Saturday night against the Canadiens — 24 hours after they clinched their eighth consecutive playoff berth without actually having to play.

The answer? They did just enough against a team that’s playing out the string. And, in the end, does it really matter?

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While the Leafs are tied with Boston for the longest active streak of consecutive playoff appearances, these perennial playoff bums have won only one game over that time beyond the opening round — playoff futility we’re convinced won’t end this season. Certainly someone’s head will have to roll, should that occur, under new Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment head honcho Keith Pelley?

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Will it be (a) Leafs’ president Brendan Shanahan, (b) general manager Brad Treliving or (c) head coach Sheldon Keefe? We’re guessing ‘a’ and ‘c’.

“We’re not afraid of change,” Pelley said on Friday. Ominous words.

You knew it was coming: History will note the first “Go Leafs Go” chant at the Bell Centre came at 5:56 p.m., more than one hour before the opening faceoff and while the arena organ was playing at full blast. While these teams are unlikely to meet anytime soon in the post-season, the atmosphere would be stupendous should it ever occur.

News you need (Part I): Mitch Marner, who has a love/hate — mostly the latter — relationship with the Toronto media, returned to the Leafs’ lineup after missing 12 games with a high ankle sprain. It was the second such injury he has suffered in five years.

They hardly missed him: Toronto’s record during Marner’s absence was 7-4-1.

News you need (Part II): With injuries to Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj, Johnathan Kovacevic dressed for only the second time in seven games, while Justin Barron was recalled from AHL Laval on an emergency basis following a 30-game stint. Barron scored the Rocket’s only goal Friday night in a home ice 3-1 loss to Syracuse. Forward Tanner Pearson, gathering splinters in the press box recently, was dressed over the underachieving Jesse Ylönen. Pearson was a healthy scratch the last six games. The 31-year-old, who is on an expiring contract, will likely have a new postal/zip code next season.

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Something not frequently seen: After allowing four goals on 12 shots — including a pair on consecutive shots — Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault was replaced by Cayden Primeau at 7:54 of the second period. Montembeault, who has kept his team in contention virtually every game throughout the season, is allowed the rare mulligan. His save percentage on this night was .667.

This is why some teams win, while others lose: The Leafs have now scored 106 second-period goals, while the offensively challenged Canadiens have only 70. General manager Kent Hughes must fix this issue over the summer if he hopes to construct a competitive unit.

This is how you show management you deserve to play: Pearson had a good scoring opportunity from the right-wing circle in the game’s fourth minute, but was denied by Ilya Samsonov. Pearson had four shots.

Colour blind or simply can’t skate: In the eighth minute of the opening period, Michael Pezzetta and Ryan Reaves were on the ice together, without contact, although Reaves did manage to run into teammate Jake McCabe.

Hit of the night: Pezzetta took Reaves into the boards in the 13th minute of the period.

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It’s a game of inches (Part I): A minute later, Nick Suzuki cut in from the right side and beat Samsonov — but couldn’t beat the post.

It’s a game of inches (Part II): Late in the period, it was Bobby McMann’s turn to hit the post.

When it rains it pours (Part I): The Leafs’ opening two goals were scored in a 17-second span.

When it rains it pours (Part II): Toronto’s next two goals were scored in a span of 34 seconds.

It was inevitable: Reaves and Pezzetta were jawing at each other before the faceoff following the Leafs’ third goal. It appeared from our vantage point Reaves was the vocal aggressor. He also landed repeated right hands to score a unanimous decision.

It only hurts when I laugh: Reaves was applying ice to his right hand, blood visible, in the penalty box. We’re guessing he serves a purpose on the roster; we just haven’t figured out what it might be.

Pass of the night (Part I): Juraj Slafkovsky to Suzuki on the Canadiens’ first goal. It was a cross-ice gem, scored on the power play.

Pass of the night (Part II): Mike Matheson wheeled behind the net and found Cole Caufield on Montreal’s second goal.

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News you need (Part III): Auston Matthews scored his 64th goal this season, although it deflected off David Savard’s skate. Matthews now has 100 points this season and becomes one of six U.S.-born players with two 100-point seasons. With one more, he’ll tie leader Jeremy Roenick.

Stats of the night: Of the Canadiens’ 26 shots, Caufield (seven) and Suzuki (six) accounted for half. Of the Leafs’ 30 shots, 18 alone were produced in the second period.

They said it: “We were definitely talking about it before the second period started,” Suzuki said. “The same things kind of keep happening. That’s something we’ve got to work on.

“We’re not as far (from competing) as people think,” he added.

“The second period was the one that bit us,” Brendan Gallagher said. “That’s something for us to correct and learn from. When you’re playing these good teams, you can’t take your foot off the gas for any amount of time. They hit us quick. We’ve been struggling to slow down the momentum.”

“It was a weird game,” Matheson said. “It was difficult (in the second period) to find a rhythm. I’m not exactly sure why that was. That’s why they’ve got a guy chasing 70 goals. It doesn’t take them much to capitalize.”

“They’re a good team,” head coach Martin St. Louis said. “You make those kinds of mistakes, they see an opening and take advantage of it. They (the Leafs) are winning, but I personally don’t feel like they’re beating us.”

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