Garret Sparks became the first Toronto Maple Leafs’ netminder to record a shutout in his first National Hockey League game as he backstopped the Leafs to a 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers Monday night.
Advertisement
Center Leo Komarov scored twice, including one into an empty net, and center Nazem Kadri added a goal for the Maple Leafs (8-11-5).
Komarov’s goal was Toronto’s seventh on the power play in the past six games. But the Oilers failed to generate an attack, while giving up a pair of two-on-one Maple Leafs’ breakouts that almost put them further behind.
The Oil have had success in this building over the years and with Toronto struggling the way they are this season and turning to Garret Sparks in the crease they are clearly in a tough spot.
With Reimer not expected to be ready to play before Toronto’s next game on Wednesday night against Winnipeg, the Elmhurst, Illinois, native will get a chance for his second straight start. James van Riemsdyk chipped in with three assists.
New York’s 11-game home winning streak vs. vehicle is tied for the longest such streak against a single opponent in franchise history; the Rangers also posted an 11-game home winning streak vs. the Philadelphia Flyers from January 14, 1990 – November 4, 1992 (PHI: 0-9-2).
“After I came out of the first period unscathed, I wanted to have a good second and I got a couple of lucky posts there”. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins struck iron for the second time in the middle frame with just over 5 minutes to play. The Oilers started the third period on a power play after defenseman Matt Hunwick took a hooking penalty at 19:02 of the second period. “Going into the third period, it was definitely on my mind, and I just wanted to be sure that if they are going to beat me, they really had to beat me”.
The Leafs had an opportunity to double their lead with back-to-back power-play chances in the second, but were unable to do so. The guys in front of me kept everything to the outside and kept everything manageable.
Advertisement
Over the course of two seasons with the Solar Bears from 2013-15, Sparks appeared in 46 games for Orlando, going 25-13-3 with a 2.45 goals-against average and a. 932 save percentage.
