Leafs Habs Game 1
Welcome back Leafs Nation!
The Leafs have won the first game of their 2021-21 season, 2-1 over the Montreal Canadiens, in a game that is just as important as and clears all memories of any losses against that Habs in the past 5 months.
With fans back in the building for the first time in 19 months, everyone expected a thrilling game as the Leafs and Habs were pushed by the roar of the crowd, so of course, we got a 2-1 snoozer. As excited as I am that the Leafs are back, that game was boring. Early season games are sometimes chaotic and high-event as teams try to adjust to new systems and players, but this was the kind of game that would make a coach, or your racist uncle, smile.
Both teams played tight defensive hockey, never giving ground in the neutral zone, and battling hard in front of the net. The NHL’s supposed “crackdown” on cross-checking apparently went out the window as sticks and spines collided in both creases.
7 minutes into the game, Jake Muzzin broke out of the Leafs zone along the right-wing boards, and was swarmed by bleu-blanc-et-rouge as soon as he entered the neutral zone. A far-too-late pass attempt was picked off, and the Canadiens broke into the Leafs zone on a 2 on 1. Josh Anderson managed to thread a pass by Justin Holl to Johnathan Drouin, who tapped it past Jack Campbell to open the scoring.
First things first, major props to Drouin, who scored in his first game since April 18th, having left the Canadiens to work on mental health issues. That’s a feel-good story anyone can get behind.
On the Leafs end, that’s a pretty bad goal to give up. The Leafs came out slow off of the start of the game, allowing a handful of great chances for Montreal, but Campbell was a brick wall until Drouin buried one. The Muzzin giveaway was really bad, and Justin Holl played the 2 on 1 horribly, committing far too early and allowing the pass to get past him without even getting a touch on it. By the time it got across Campbell didn’t really stand a chance.
The Leafs finally woke up after the Habs opened the scoring, taking advantage of an Alexander Romanov interference penalty. Literally the second the penalty expired, 10:12 into the period, Pierre Engvall ripped a shot that found its way through a Nick Ritchie screen and into the back of the net.
It was the new guys who played a big role in this goal, with Michael Bunting picking up the primary assist for his first point with the Leafs, and Nick Ritchie getting in the eyes of Jake Allen to help the puck get home.
A deadlocked second period led to a tied game going into the final frame, but just a minute into the third, William Nylander found some open ice in the Montreal zone and took full advantage. Nylander froze Allen with a fake, then rifled a half slapper over the should of the Montreal netminder to give the Leafs their first lead of the new season.
The Habs pressed for the remainder of the game, as the Leafs took 3 consecutive 3rd period penalties, including 1:44 of 5-on-3 time for Montreal, but the Leafs stood tall. Small sample size aside, the PK looked great tonight, and Campbell was there to clean up any mistakes they made, as the Leafs held on to take a 2-1 victory in game 1 of 82.
Bright spots:
Jack Campbell: Soupy continued right where he left off, turning aside 31 of 32 for a 0.969 save percentage (nice). Campbell finished the game with 1.61 goals saved above expected.
William Nylander: Willy was buzzing all night long, generating all sorts of chances even before he scored the game winner. The Leafs controlled 89% of expected goals with Nylander on the ice.
Pierre Engvall: This is a huge year for Engvall, as it is likely his last shot to crack the Leafs roster, and he played like it. He was engaged all night long, fighting for pucks, skating well, and using his size and strength to push the Habs around a little bit. He made a boneheaded play to look for the empty net in the dying seconds of the game, giving the Canadiens life, but for 59/60 minutes, he looked as good as I’ve seen him in the NHL.
Down Bad:
Jason Spezza: It sucks to put Spezza in here, I love him too much. But he wasn’t good tonight. The Leafs got shelled with him on the ice, managing no xG at all. Even his 4th line pals Wayne Simmonds and Michael Amadio managed to get some offence going in this game, but Spezza didn’t seem to have it.
Jake Muzzin: Only 25% expected goals for Muzzin tonight, who also had the giveaway that led to the Habs only goal. Muzzin struggled to limit chances against, as Campbell had to bail him out a few times. I would have Justin Holl here as well, but he made a crucial block that saved a goal on the 5 on 3 in the third, so I can forgive the rest of the game.
Overall Score: B+
A solid game overall, with some room for improvement. Auston Matthews’ return will help.
Tweets of the Night:
“Calder Favourite”
Gallagher did his thing tonight, being a pesky, borderline dirty rat. He took a cheap shot at Jack Campbell late in the game.
C’mon man. You’re basically pushing a puppy.
Next up: Tomorrow night at the Senators