A Mats Zuccarello hat-trick, highlighted by a huge goal early in the third that killed the momentum the Leafs had built in the second, left them with another defeat, their eighth in nine games.
The Leafs narrowly won the possession battle, but that may be largely down to chasing the game for such a long period of time, especially in the second period. The Leafs were pretty much even in chances, and led while the game was close, thanks to their strong middle frame. The Leafs also won the neutral zone battle, but it was a hollow victory, as they struggled to enter the Rangers’ zone with control, and the Rangers ended up with a clear advantage in controlled entries on the evening.