The hope for Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock was that his club would carve out a stronger identity at the Air Canada Centre during a season-high six-game home stand.
After three games, the Leafs aren’t making it easy on themselves.
The Leafs put up a great fight against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night, and were declared the victors when Tyler Bozak scored the deciding goal in a shootout, giving the Leafs a 3-2 win.
The triumph came the Leafs after erased a two-goal Canucks lead in the third period.
The Leafs beat San Jose in a shootout on Thursday, which followed a shutout loss against Tampa Bay on Tuesday to start the six-pack of home games.
Brock Boeser thought he got the winner for Vancouver at 45 seconds of overtime, but a review showed his shot hit the crossbar and then the post.
The Leafs then could not score as Boeser served a minor for slashing Jake Gardiner.
Bozak, stymied several times earlier by Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom, found success at 12:37 of the third when he scored on his own rebound to tie the game 2-2.
Morgan Rielly had an assist on the goal to give him 26, one short of tying his career high.
The other assist? That went to defenceman Travis Dermott, in his first game in the National Hockey League.
The Leafs had been frustrated by Markstrom until 8:23 of the third when Zach Hyman feathered a pass across the ice to Auston Matthews, who had an easy tap-in for his 19th goal.
Thoughts of a Leafs comeback seemed to be scuttled when the Canucks’ Sam Gagner scored during a two-man advantage for the visitors at 6:34 of the third.
After Matt Martin took a dopey interference penalty behind the play at 4:53 on Alexander Edler, Roman Polak was flagged for tripping 38 seconds later.
Gagner, with assists to the Sedin twins, blasted a shot over Frederik Andersen’s glove hand for a 2-0 Vancouver lead.
For those not keeping track at home, that’s 15 minor penalties in 24 games for Polak, who is piling up his detractors.
Polak will never be confused with the fastest player on the ice, and if the Leafs want to be serious about making a playoff run in the spring, where would Polak fit in?
Among the Canucks leaders in ice time through two periods was defenceman Erik Gudbranson, who has been linked to the Leafs in trade speculation. There’s little question general manager Lou Lamoriello has to upgrade the defence corps prior to the trade deadline.
Already without regulars such as Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Brandon Sutter because of injuries, the Canucks lost defenceman Chris Tanev early in the game after he took a Leafs shot in the face. Tanev left a pool of blood on the ice after quickly going to the dressing room and it was up to teammate Michael Del Zotto to pick up what appeared to be a few of Tanev’s teeth.
Fans and opposing teams across the NHL have become accustomed to witnessing Boeser’s lightning-quick release, and it was Toronto’s turn on Saturday night.
Boeser, who went into the game with 38 points, most among NHL rookies, scored his 22nd goal at 2:59 of the second period, beating Andersen on the short side.
Boeser, who had kept the puck in the offensive zone when he intercepted Connor Carrick’s clearing attempt, one-timed a pass from Thomas Vanek and scored just as Bozak attempted to check him.
The Leafs figured they had tied the game at 8:26 of the second when a Rielly knuckler from inside the blue line was bobbled by Markstrom and fell into the net.
Canucks coach Travis Green challenged that the Leafs were offside just prior to the goal, and he was proven correct during a review. The replay showed the puck went off Rielly’s left skate and into the offensive zone before the Leafs could clear the zone.
That non-goal summed up the Leafs’ luck through 40 minutes.
During a power play, Nazem Kadri was set up by James van Riemsdyk. Instead of putting the puck into an open net, Kadri missed, sending the rubber harmlessly back across the crease and wide.
Later, during another Leafs man advantage, Markstrom jammed his blocker against the post just as Bozak tried to stuff the puck into the net.
Even Leo Komarov and Martin — neither of whom has been dangerous around the opponent’s net this season — twice were stopped at point-blank range by Markstrom.
Babcock, when asked in the morning what would make a good debut for Dermott, had a short answer.
“As long as I don’t notice him,” Babcock said.
The coach had to be fairly pleased, as the 21-year-old Dermott, usually paired with Polak, certainly looked comfortable.
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