VIDEO: Lupul's 200th seals Reimer's, Maple Leafs' 3rd straight win
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won three in a row.
Saturday's 4-2 victory came against the Vancouver Canucks, and was solidified by the 200th goal of Joffrey Lupul's career, which came after two ridiculous saves by Ryan Miller - one off Lupul.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
The marquee goal, Lupul's sixth of the season, came in his 672nd career game. It was subject to review, the Canucks claiming goaltender interference, but stood.
James Reimer, meanwhile, continues to light the world on fire.
Reimer's save percentage increased in each of the last six games: .909, .917, .935, .947, .955, .956 tonight. League average: .915.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 15, 2015
Both teams fired puck after puck on net, with Vancouver ending up with a 45-40 advantage in shots. Reimer's 43 saves were good for his 14th win making 40 or more stops as a Maple Leaf, a new franchise record, according to the National Post's David Alter.
Game Highlights
- VIDEO: Canucks' Burrows tips puck past red-hot Reimer
- VIDEO: Maple Leafs' Bozak, Matthias connect on pretty 2-on-1
- VIDEO: Parenteau finishes off crisp Toronto power-play passing
- VIDEO: JVR goes shelf after textbook Maple Leafs breakout
The Canucks had two goals called back in the third period, much to the delight of the goaltender, who faced a whopping 25 shots in the final 20 minutes.
"Kind of made up for some of the bad bounces earlier in the year," he said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "Feels like the boys upstairs made more saves than I did."
Reimer's save percentage is now up to .925, 12th in the NHL, thanks to an impressive .945 run over seven games since taking over the crease for an injured Jonathan Bernier.
"It's been a lot of hockey, but, you know, playing hockey's fun," Reimer added.
It would be his eighth start in 14 days, but Mike Babcock says he'll take plane ride to determine if James Reimer will start again tomorrow.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) November 15, 2015
The Maple Leafs are in Manhattan on Sunday to face a streaking New York Rangers squad that's won eight in a row.
As for Toronto, winning's not only fun, but infectious, and it appears the club is buying what head coach Mike Babcock's selling.
Mike Babcock asked about #leafs three-game win streak. "I think, if I'm not mistaken, that we've got points in six of seven." Walks off.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 15, 2015