Leafs goalie Andersen out Sunday in key game

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson). A trainer tends to injured Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo after he was hit by Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Boston on Saturday, April 8, 2017. Let’s dwell on that for a second. “So I think he’s a real good player and a real good man and has a chance to be special”.

“They’re an improving team”, Capitals Coach Barry Trotz said. For us, we have surpassed some outside expectations, so it’s a little bit of a different dynamic for each team.

Now, the other part. There was a brief “We want Ottawa!” chant in the first period.

And then with a backup goaltender and one defenceman lost and another hurt, the bottom fell out. Toronto handily won the possession battle with Columbus (at almost 55 per cent) and it’s because of those crucial wins by Bozak they were able to sustain pressure at the end and preserve any hope of tallying a tying goal.

So sure, the euphoria may fade. “You just watch him every night and he just does things you don’t expect anyone else to do”.

Jake Gardiner played a game-high of nearly 29 minutes with the blue line shorthanded, the Leafs late comeback effort falling just short. It makes no difference in their life, but we’ve got to come out and play right and get prepared and play as hard as we possibly can.

Matthews set franchise rookie records by scoring 40 goals and collecting 69 points, eclipsing marks by Wendel Clark and Peter Ihnacak that had stood for decades. That is why, a few hours before the game that would clinch his first playoff appearance as the Leafs coach, he was not interested in discussing any feeling of accomplishment.

Trying to keep track of all the changes to the book was long-time Leafs radio analyst Jim Ralph. Against Ottawa, the Leafs are 4-0 in the postseason. The organization has been dramatically overhauled since with Brendan Shanahan taking over as president, Mike Babcock as head coach and Lou Lamoriello as general manager. Boos rained down on Kessel, Toronto’s leading scorer for six seasons, and hearing those jeers the 29-year-old flashed a big, wide grin. Their ability to pressure Gardiner and force him into a tough situations could be a key piece of the Capitals’ offense when forechecking deep inside Toronto’s zone. This is free money. After the game Babcock said it was an “upper body” injury and made it seem like Zaitsev would play Thursday. “That’s when it’s a totally different program though”.

FAR AWAY EYES: Bobby Ryan took seven shots Sunday, but only hit the net once, when he scored in the second period. When we start panicking, you see what happens, and it’s not pretty. TSN noted during the Sunday’s telecast that the Senators’ combined power play- and penalty-killing success rates added up to 96.9 per cent, which was second worst of any team in the playoffs. Boyle also showed well at 75 percent, his third-highest total since joining the Maple Leafs.

Ready for playoff hockey? “Zero. Battle for every inch of the ice, from the opening faceoff to the end”, as Babcock put it – should be ambition.

In three games versus the best team in the National Hockey League this year, the Leafs took one win, one loss and one overtime loss. And whatever happens, this is where it starts. It’s a lot of fun. I mean, we’re here for a reason. “We’re looking forward to playing in the playoffs and we have a good challenge ahead of us”, said James van Riemsdyk, who scored both of Toronto’s goals. The Capitals, Senators and Boston Bruins have clinched spots and await matchups. May as well try to win.