The Detroit Red Wings pulled the rug out from under the Leafs last night, leaving the Buds shocked and defeated on home ice in their final game before a 4-game road trip out West. The Leafs built up a lead again in this one, but for the 3rd time in as many games, they blew it, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Red Wings, who now move into a Wild Card spot in the East, and just 1 point behind the Leafs in the standings.
The night was a special one for former Leafs defenseman Justin Holl. Not only did he help secure the win against his former team in Toronto, but the team honoured him with a tribute video and the crowd welcomed him back to Toronto with applause, rather than the boos and scorn that he was accustomed to while playing in Toronto.
Following the game, Mitch Marner was asked about Holl's return and what it must have meant to him to have the fans in attendance applaud him. Marner was very close with Holl during their time together in Toronto and was very aware of the disdain that the fans had for Holl while he was here. Unsurprisingly, Marner loved the reaction from the fans towards Holl last night.
The Leafs will not be able to avenge this loss until April, as the two Atlantic Division rivals do not face off again until April 13th, just prior to the end of the regular season.
