Leafs vs. Mammoth: Toronto can’t pin this loss on Sergei Bobrovsky - Toronto Star

Bobrovsky, Roslovic give Leafs chance to win despite Utah carrying the play for much of the first two periods.

Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky appeals to referee Chris Schlenker after being upended by Utah’s Barrett Hayton in the second period. The goal was called off.

It felt as if Tuesday night’s game pitting the Maple Leafs against the Utah Mammoth was going to be a referendum of some sort on the goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky, with a so-so start to the season, was taking the blame for Toronto’s so-so record. But he was hardly to blame even as he took another loss Tuesday night as the Leafs fell 3-2 to the Mammoth.

Bobrovsky was peppered with shots all night, facing 36 altogether, and kept the Leafs in a game they had no business being in. They never led in the game, though Jack Roslovic tied the score twice.

It was special teams that were the difference. Utah scored twice on three power-play chances, including Nick Schmaltz’s winner at 13:12 of the third with Darren Raddysh off for cross-checking. The Leafs failed to score on both of their extra-man opportunities.

“I think the first half of the game we didn’t really have our legs or the energy needed to compete,” Leafs captain Auston Matthews said. “I thought we got our game going the second half a little bit. It was right there for us. They get one on the power play.”

An entertaining opening period was filled with chances for both teams. Leafs coach Jim Hiller has been preaching about taking more care with the puck but the Leafs didn’t get the memo, with repeated giveaways and icings. The Mammoth were just as good at surrendering possession at inopportune moments, though goalie Sebastian Cossa saved his teammates’ errors.

Just when you thought the first period might end without a goal, Utah’s league-best power play connected. The Leafs had gone 0-for-2 earlier. Then Roslovic was called for hooking 200 feet from his net with 1:02 left in the period. Dylan Guenther beat Bobrovsky with 13 seconds remaining for a 1-0 lead.

Roslovic made up for his miscue midway through the second period. The Leafs were getting hammered as far as possession goes. But they managed a rare foray into the Utah zone, and Roslovic was rewarded with his seventh goal of the year 10 minutes and 19 seconds into the second frame to tie the game.

Utah got its lead back when Andrew Peeke beat Bobrovsky from the point. Utah was full value for the lead, dominating the Leafs in a period played largely in front of the Toronto goaltender. It looked like the Leafs might have challenged for goaltender interference on the play, with Barrett Hayton clipping Bobrovsky. Hiller declined. It may well be that Hiller didn’t want to risk losing the challenge and putting Utah’s power play back to work.

The Leafs were down 2-1 heading into the third, being outplayed and outskated at every turn, outshot 30-17.

Help for the Leafs is on the way. Veteran centre John Tavares is now listed as “day to day” as he recovers from an undisclosed lower body injury Oct. 15 against Buffalo. He practised in a noncontact red jersey during Tuesday’s morning skate and could be one full practice away from rejoining the team. He could play this weekend, either Saturday against Montreal or Sunday against New Jersey.

“He’s still got to do some progressing, but he’s closer,” Hiller said. “Get him into a practice, hopefully sooner rather than later, and see how he does there and then make the next step.”

Tavares has missed nine games, his second-longest absence since he joined the Leafs. He had two goals and five assists in seven games. The Leafs are 5-4-0 without him.

“We’ve done pretty well without him, but he’s an important player,” Hiller said.

Defenceman Dakota Mermis was a healthy scratch … Foward Bo Groulx cleared waivers and rejoined the AHL Marlies on Tuesday … The Marlies unveiled their Calder Cup championship rings … Forwards Kirill Marchenko (lower body) and Miles Wood (undisclosed) and defencemen Nick Blankenburg (upper body) and Marshall Rifai (lower body) remain sidelined.

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Kevin McGran is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow him on Bluesky @kevinmcgran