Toronto Maple Leafs Win Against Ottawa Senators

Last night we got to watch the first episode of this season’s “Battle of Ontario”. A lot of things went wrong for the Senators in this one, from bad defensive play to odd coaching decisions (yes, again).

GAME RECAP

The first goal of the game came just 3 minutes into the first period. The Maple Leafs won the faceof in their end, but failed to clear the puck. Mike Hoffman took it off the boards, and sniped it top corner past James Reimer to give the Senators the early lead. That lead would remain intact for the next 13 minutes, until Peter Holland tied the game. Holland took what looked like a relatively harmless shot a few feet inside the blue line, but after bouncing off of Cody Ceci‘s stick and Robin Lehner‘s pad, it found its way to the top of the net. Where it stayed. It caused some confusion as most lost sight of the puck, but after skating around the back of the net, it was found to be stuck between the netting and a post. The final goal of the period came just 2 minutes later, as the Senators would take back the lead. Mika Zibanejad brought the puck into the offensive zone, and passed to Bobby Ryan. Ryan then attempted to pass it to Jared Cowen, who missed the puck. It bounced off of his stick to be picked up by Kyle Turris, who sent a wrister past Reimer.

The second period began much like the first. James van Riemsdyk tied the game just two and a half minutes into the period. Bobby Ryan took a weak swing at the puck, and skated by van Riemsdyk as he entered the zone. He took a shot just outside the slot which bounced straight up off of Lehner. The puck landed just in front of the goal line, and van Riemsdyk tapped it in, thanks to Erik Karlsson allowing him to skate by and end up beside the net. A very lazy shift from the Senators resulted in what can only be considered a bad goal. But the Senators would regain the lead just 2 minutes later, thanks to a powerplay. Karlsson took a shot from the point, which resulted in everyone going after the rebound in front of Reimer. Eventually the puck got loose, and Mark Stone was the first to get to it and put it past Reimer. But things did not slow down after that. Just 2 minutes later, the Leafs would tie the game for the third time. Trevor Smith beat Karlsson in a battle for the puck in the Senators’ end. He then sent a pass to Josh Leivo who was positioned in front of Lehner. Leivo deflected it in to tie the game yet again. The Leafs then scored the final goal of the period just 4 minutes later. While on a powerplay, the Senators had a defensive breakdown, allowing Mike Santorelli to just walk in and put it past Lehner without any fight from the Senators’ defense.

The Leafs scored the only goal of the third period 6 minutes into the frame. Morgan Reilly’s point shot was deflected by David Clarkson. Leafs win, 5-3 final.

THOUGHTS AND OBERVATIONS

• Somebody keep Legwand away from the powerplay
• Karlsson has had a few bad games recently. It’s not as big of a deal as the media is making it out to be, but it is worth a bit of concern.
• Michalek got a chance to play on the top line with Turris and MacArthur. Unfortunately, he didn’t do a whole lot with the opportunity.
• Paul MacLean is going to have some trouble trying to explain why he kept Lehner in so long. He should have been pulled after the third goal, if not the second.

The Senators’ next game is on Tuesday, the 11th when they visit Vancouver.