Rusty Canucks buck odds, beat Maple Leafs in OT

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To twist an old Neil Young song, rust never sleeps.

The Vancouver Canucks, three weeks after COVID-19 halted their season, far back in the playoff race and with many players still out or ailing, gave the fully-charged Maple Leafs all they could handle Sunday night at Rogers Arena in a 3-2 overtime win. It was Toronto’s fourth straight defeat, the most under coach Sheldon Keefe.

Braden Holtby, who was having a sub-par year before the virus swamped the dressing room, denied the best Leafs shooters much of the night with 37 saves before the second of two goals from captain Bo Horvat won it for the Canucks.
But midway through the game, Canucks blueliner Alex Edler took that fighting spirit too far, sticking a knee into Toronto spark-plug winger Zach Hyman’s leg. Hyman limped off and did not return; Edler received a major, a misconduct and possible Player Safety Department discipline.

Though a couple of Leafs were cautiously optimistic Hyman’s injury wasn’t serious, head coach Sheldon Keefe would only say “we’ll see tomorrow.”

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Edler’s departure shrank an already thin Vancouver bench by one defeceman, yet the Canucks hung in, with Holtby allowing just one goal at the end of the Edler major.

Horvat’s winner on Jack Campbell sent the Canucks’ bench into delirium.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the guys in that room,” Horvat said. “Not just for the organization, but for our families, it definitely felt great.”

The first-place Leafs missed a golden opportunity to put more space between themselves and trailing Winnipeg and Edmonton. They can’t yet use their two newest players, Nick Foligno and Ben Hutton, who are still in Canadian quarantine.

“We’re in a little slump,” said Campbell, who made 21 saves and has lost three straight since winning his first 11. “They didn’t surprise us. Our coach did a good job warning us. We came out (strong). Holtby was sensational, he just outplayed me tonight.”

William Nylander, the only Leaf to have a brush with COVID (someone in his personal circle encountered symptoms, a follow-up test was positive and Nylander checked himself out of the lineup), missed the previous 12 days, all but the last three in quarantine, was the only Bud to score early, recording his 100th NHL goal. He also assisted on Matthews’ 33rd.

Horvat made it 2-1 before the second period ended and the Canucks kept blocking shots and breaking up plays, gradually extending their shifts from the quick ones early in the game. Nils Hoglander tied it with less than eight minutes to play after Mitch Marner and Wayne Simmonds were denied close in.

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Before their facilities were shuttered, the Canucks were just two points out of a playoff spot in the North Division, but returned to play facing a double-digit deficit and a compressed schedule.

“You hope (the victory) would give them some belief, but our group has that already,” Vancouver coach Travis Green said. “This isn’t your regular win during the regular season. It’s special. We’ve gone through a lot.”

Keefe exchanged messages with Green, who was also weakened by the virus and couldn’t go on the ice to run Friday’s first full day of practice.

Keefe tried to hide his exasperation after the loss, but credited Holtby’s “10 point-blank saves” while the Leafs hit a few posts and crossbars, Jason Spezza the far post of an empty net. Matthews’ goal broke a 1-for-43 skid on the power play, but two earlier chances were missed as well as most of the Edler major.

Sunday’s game moved back a day when the Canucks’ players told the league they were being recklessly rushed into a return Friday against Edmonton that was also postponed.

A few Canucks were asked all week if they feel as if coming back from one of those NHL Olympic break years when there’s a two or three-week pause in the schedule. But those of course are a time of fun and games, with a chance to leave town on holiday and work out on ice to stay sharp. But these guys had to isolate at home with some of the worst COVID related symptoms and in some cases, wives and children affected. They had no ice time until mid-week practices.
Sunday was also the delayed reunion with two Leafs claimed by the Canucks on waivers just as they were shut down, Jimmy Vesey and Travis Boyd.

“They both worked hard, were great teammates and contributed to our success for sure,” said Keefe. “The way our system is designed to give teams and players opportunities, Vancouver picked them up. We wish them well. Obviously, it’s tough to see them be a part of what’s gone on here in Vancouver the last while.”

lhornby@postmedia.com