Ottawa Senators Sweep Toronto Maple Leafs In Split-Squad Games

It’s amazing how playing the Toronto Maple Leafs can excite the Ottawa Senators’ fan base, even when it’s a split-squad, pre-season matchup. The Senators won both games, which was a much needed confidence boost after losing to the New York Islanders earlier.

GAME RECAPS

Lets start with the game in Toronto. Not unlike most games for the Leafs, James Reimer kept them in it as long as he could. At the halfway point of the game, the Leafs switched goaltenders to give Christopher Gibson some time between the pipes. Reimer had stopped all 18 shots he had faced, and in that time the Leafs mustered all of 9 shots on Robin Lehner. The Senators would put three past Gibson before the end of regulation, which ended in a 3-3 tie. The goals came from Shane Prince, Alex Chiasson (who scored short-handed), and Ryan Dzingel. Overtime solved nothing, so they headed to a shootout. Milan Michalek scored the winner.

Now we move to the game in Ottawa. Senators fans were treated to the Bobby Ryan – Kyle Turris – Clarke MacArthur line, as well as Erik Karlsson (I wonder if that was on purpose?). Craig Anderson played a solid game, stopping 20 of 22 shots. Bobby Ryan put on a show, scoring two in front of the Ottawa crowd. Matt Puempel scored as well, continuing to impress after a solid training camp.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

• While the Senators’ goaltending was solid, it wasn’t spectacular.
• Ryan looks good when he’s healthy. Like, really good.
• It’s nice to see the young guys like Puempel and Prince put a couple in. They should both have a big year in Binghamton.

UP NEXT

The Senators take on the Winnipeg Jets, Tuesday night at 8:00 PM.