The 20 most stunning photos from the NHL’s Centennial Classic

Fed from behind the net by fellow rookie Zach Hyman, Brown scored 1:11 later. We’ve got a bunch of kids on our team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. That was a good opportunity for our team because we haven’t had those kinds of opportunities. It was also the first time the Scottsdale, Ariz., native had played a game outdoors. “We need these points in the standings”.

Before the game, the National Hockey League revealed the first 33 players on its 100 greatest players list, a group that included former Red Wings great Gordie Howe and former Leafs goalie Johnny Bower. “But you’ve got to start somewhere and we all as hockey players have the ultimate goal of playing here”. Perennial goal-scorer James van Riemsdyk sat beside the Leafs’ first 50-goal scorer, Rick Vaive.

For the rest of the 2016-2017 season, though, there’s likely more good times to come for the Leafs. “It takes a lot of hard work and all these guys have done it”.

The Leafs, of course, have been doing good things on an individual basis as well as winning games.

“Not only is it I think playing probably the best hockey of his young career, but he’s alongside the captain and you see a quiet three assists (Sunday) from Zetterberg again”, Steve Ott said.

During the first intermission, Canadian rock star Bryan Adams played with his band, with a unified participation from the crowd when they played his most popular hit “Summer of ’69”. It might also be remembered as one that makes them serious playoff contenders, now three points out of a post-season spot with three games in hand. The clubs combined for a total of zero blocked shots in the first period … He is becoming a big-time player for us up here.

He’s shutting them down on a regular basis and has also been able to put up a boatload of points.

The victory extends Toronto’s current winning streak to five games.

Honorable Mention: Connor Brown led the Leafs in scoring with three points.

The Maple Leafs go as their rookies produce. “We knew that there wasn’t much time left. To be amongst them, you have to go through them”. Thanks to a bevy of goals and excitement through the final 20 minutes and in overtime, however, the game was saved and more than lived up to its lofty billing. Both teams trade chances before Matthews ended it. On the other side, their power play has looked fine in terms of production – five goals in the last five games – but it hasn’t been a momentum builder to the degree the team would like. It’s deserved though with a six-goal, six assist month. “He’s a guy who plays his role well and I have nothing bad to say about him”.

The Leafs have not won six consecutive road games since 2007-08.

– As they’ve gotten into the thick of the playoff hunt, the Maple Leafs have begun fielding questions about whether they think the team’s rebuild is now ahead of schedule.