Three takeaways from Toronto Maple Leafs shootout loss to Philadelphia Flyers

]While the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t play their best hockey on Saturday, they did manage to overcome a weak start and pull together a strong finish against the Philadelphia Flyers. However, it wasn’t enough, as Toronto fell 3-2 in the shootout to Philadelphia. The Leafs trailed2-0 after 20, but theygot two goals over the final 40 minutes:one from Travis Dermott in the second and another from William Nylander near the start of the third. Auston Matthewsfinished the night with two a sists, while Frederik Andersen made 30 saves. Here are three takeaways from the lo s, which still saw the Maple Leafs escape Air Canada Centre with a point. SN MAILBAG: William Nylander staying hot After a disappointing 2018-19 where Nylander had just seven goals and 27 points in 54 games following Shabazz Napier Jersey a contract holdout to start the year, the 23-year-old is turning a new leaf this season and showing that he is worth the $6.962million AAV he’s making with Toronto. Nylander scored the game-tying goal on Saturday about four minutes into the third period, tapping in a Michigan-esque pa s from Matthews. He also a sisted on Dermott’s goal earlier on in the game to rack up his second multi-point performanceover his last three games. WILLIAM NYLANDER Did Auston Matthews just fake the lacro se to get Willy the easy tap in? Holy shit. Flintor (@TheFlintor) Not only that, butthe 6-0, 196-pound center scored the Leafs’ lone shootouttally, showing off impre sive dekes, patience and scoring prowe s to give Toronto a shot at victory. What a deke by Nylander Johnathan Williams Jersey in the shootout. Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) Withfive goals and 13 points through 17 games thisseason, Nylander ison pace to net 24 goals and 63 points, showing that he’s ready to put up the numbers that he’s been expected to and to continue trending in the right direction. The Calgary, Alta. native has now recorded a pointin Jerian Grant Jersey three of his last five games, racking up a total offive points over that span. Frederik Andersen comes up big Although Andersen couldn’t shut down the Flyers in the shootout, he was one of thereasons that the Leafs managed a point out of their matchup with Philly. After giving up two goals oneight shots in the first period, the Danish netminder was a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the night, able to shut the Flyers out for the final 40 minutes of play. Displaying great awarene s, vision, lateral movement and reaction time, Andersenshut down a number of chances and stopped the remaining 24 shots he faced over the course of regulation and 3-on-3 OT to keep Toronto in it until the end. Frederik Andersens reflexes and sharp movements are unreal. Josh Te sler (@JoshTe sler_) Through 14 games now, the 30-year-old is 9-2-1 with a 2.62 GAA and .916 save percentage. Prior to this game, he’d won his three last starts and four of his last five. Andersen also hasn’t fallen in regulation since Oct. 10 and is 7-0-2 since then. Auston Matthews shows off skill With two a sists in Saturday’s lo Bradley Beal Jersey s, Matthews was able to extend his point streak to three games and has points in six of his last seven games. And of course, the 22-year-old was able to contribute in styleon Saturday. His first point came on a secondary a sist, which helped the Leafs get into the zone and Dermott cut the lead in half in the second. But it was his second a primary a sist that took over highlight reels. “The Michigan” isbeing attemptedmore and more after Carolina Hurricanes forwardAndrei Svechnikov became the first NHLer to ever score on the attempt. Matthews looked as if he was going to try to score the lacro se-style goal against Philadelphia. Instead, he snuck an impre sive pa s toNylander, who was able to put it past Brian Elliott to tie the game up, 2-2. Auston Matthews definitely faked the Michigan to get the pa s to William Nylander, which might actually be more impre sive than actually pulling off the Michigan Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) Matthews now Raul Neto Jersey has 13 goals and 21 points on the season, which ranks him tied for eighthamong all NHL skaters. No. 34and is producing 1.17 points per game.