After last night, the Leafs returned home to host the Caps, kicking off their season on the road in Montreal. The Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their season openers on Wednesday night. The Leafs lost 4-3 to the Habs. Josh Anderson scored the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds remaining in the 3rd period. At the same time, the Caps lost their season opener 5-2 as they hosted the Boston Bruins. Both teams came into this one with a burr in their saddles, looking to get back into the win column. Ovechkin vs. Matthews, two of the best goal scorers in the game today; it doesn’t get much better than this!
The Leafs continued their parade to the penalty box from last night against the Habs as Calle Jarnkrok was called for holding the stick just 2:28 into the opening frame. As soon as the power play began, Ovechkin wasted no time getting off his bomb of a shot. Fortunately for the Leafs, he hit the post. Mitch Marner wasted no time countering with a great scoring chance for the blue and white. The Leafs managed to kill off the game’s first penalty, limiting the Caps to just the lone scoring chance off of the stick of Ovechkin. Nick Dowd took a careless interference penalty as he hit Matthews long after the puck was moved up ice. The Leafs top power play unit zipped the puck all over the Capital’s zone, getting several grade-A scoring chances, which eventually led to a great passing play that Captain John Tavares finished off right on the doorstep. Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner with the assists. The Capitals responded at 9:57 of the period with a goal from Nick Dowd, who was left alone on the doorstep. Erik Gustafsson and Trevor van Riemsdyk with the assists. The Capitals strike again at the 13:51 mark on a goal by Marcus Johansson, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Lars Eller.
Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov simply has to make that save, and there is nothing else that needs to be said. Auston Matthews drew his second penalty of the opening period as he was tripped by veteran defenceman John Carlson. Unfortunately, the blue and white could not capitalize on the man advantage. The period would come to a close, with the Caps leading by a score of 2-1. Shots after 20 minutes were 22-11 in favor of the Leafs. Leading the way in TOI for the blue and white was Mitch Marner, who played 8:45. The best player for the Leafs so far in this one was John Tavares, hands down. He was all around the puck every shift he was on the ice.
The second period started with many back and forth between both zones, with both teams trading chances. The Leafs finally managed to break through on a great rush from the third line. A fantastic pass from Alex Kerfoot who found Calle Jarnkrok in stride, who beat his man to the net and made no mistake tying the game up 2-2. Kerfoot and Rielly with the assists. The goal came just 3:53 into the middle frame. Justin Holl managed to draw a penalty in his own zone as he was tripped by Garnet Hathaway while trying to circle behind his net, with the puck giving the Leafs their third power play of the night. The blue and white weren’t able to generate much of anything on the power play, just getting a single shot on goal. Shortly after the Leafs man advantage concluded, Justin Holl was called on a questionable “holding” call on Anthony Mantha. There were tons of looks for the Caps on the power play, particularly for the Great 8, but they were unable to capitalize. The Leafs went a total of 9:30 without a single shot on net. Simply unacceptable. The Leafs generated several scoring chances in the final minute of the period. One, in particular, found Michael Bunting with a wide-open net right in the slot, and he completely whiffed on the puck. As the second period closed, the score remained tied 2-2. Shots in the middle frame were 10-9 in favor of the Capitals. Leading the way in ice time through 40 minutes for the blue and white was Mitch Marner with 15:54.
Nothing happened through the first seven minutes of the final frame—a lot of back and forth but not much of anything generated by either team offensively. The Leafs finally broke the 2-2 tie on a point shot from Mark Giordano that was deflected in the high slot by the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner, Auston Matthews, 6:55 into the 3rd period. Giordano and with the assists. Jake Muzzin was called on yet another weak interference call 7:26 into the frame. However, I would argue that the Leafs had far more dangerous chances shorthanded than the Capitals had with the man advantage. The pace of the game picked up after Matthews’ goal. The Leafs managed to find an extra gear and controlled the majority of the play. Unfortunately, the Leafs were called for what was another questionable call. A one-handed “slash” by Nic Aube-Kubel in the defensive zone sent the Capitals to their fourth power play of the night with just 3:45 remaining in regulation. The Leafs do an outstanding job killing off yet another penalty. A couple of very key shot blocks by Justin Holl in particular. With just 40 seconds to go, the Leafs get called for yet another penalty. Mitch Marner was called for a high stick on T.J. Oshie, giving the Capitals their 4th straight power play. The Leafs somehow manage to hang on for the 3-2 win; fantastic work by the penalty killers all game long! Shots in the 3rd period were 9-6 in favor of the blue and white; 39-26 overall in favor of the Leafs. TOI leader in this one was Mitch Marner with 22:21. He was a major factor in every aspect of this one. This was a great response game from the blue and white, and they will look to build off this one when they take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday Night on Hockey Night in Canada!
Tonight’s Three Stars:
- Auston Matthews: 1 Goal
- John Tavares: 1 Goal
- Nick Dowd: 1 Goal
Awesome overview Mike! I love how the boys responded and took over the last 2 periods. Excellent work as always!