Columbus Blue Jackets fall to Toronto Maple Leafs despite Jet Greaves setting record
Jet Greaves and the Blue Jackets made it interesting, but they didn’t have enough to pull off a comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.
Eric Robinson’s 12th goal of the season cut Toronto’s lead to 3-2 with 7:57 left in the third period, but the Jackets couldn't pull even in a 4-2 loss that kept them at 56 points and 30th of 32 teams with six games left in a "race" at the bottom of the league standings for the best odds in the May 8 draft lottery.
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Greaves, a rookie from the Toronto area, set a Blue Jackets franchise record for a goaltending debut with 47 saves on 50 shots.
"I thought he looked very calm," coach Brad Larsen said. "I don’t fault him on any of the goals at all. For your first game in the NHL, to play in this building and be from here, I mean there was a lot going on in his head before the game, I’m sure. (Toronto) scored early, so you get a little nervous for him, but he settled in. He looked really poised in net tonight and I’m so happy for him.”
Auston Matthews sealed the win for the Maple Leafs (46-21-10) with 1:03 left to play by scoring into an empty net from his own zone. It was Toronto's final shot in a 50-26 domination of that statistic. Zach Aston-Reese scored two goals and Alexander Kerfoot scored once for the Maple Leafs, who received a victorious 24-save effort from goalie Joseph Woll.
Jack Roslovic's 11th goal of the season tied it 1-1 for Columbus in the first, which ended with Toronto holding a 16-5 edge in shots. Rookie forwards Kent Johnson and Liam Foudy had assists for the Blue Jackets (24-45-8), who are tied in points with the Anaheim Ducks (23-44-10) and rank one spot higher based on the first standings tiebreaker of regulation wins (15-13).
Greaves' performance was the most popular topic for the Blue Jackets.
"You want to play well for him, but he took care of his business too," Robinson said. "He was incredible. I’m sure he’s really happy and he should be really proud of himself.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets edged by Toronto Maple Leafs in Greaves debut
