The Toronto Maple Leafs could not have asked for anything more in Game 1 of the Battle of Ontario against the Ottawa Senators on Easter Sunday. They received the most productive playoff performance since their first-round victory over Tampa Bay two years ago, their power play was on with three goals, and goalie Anthony Stolarz was excellent in his first Stanley Cup Playoff start, making 31 saves in a 6-2 victory.
But what had the most impact on the opening game of the best-of-seven series was that the Senators played one of the most brain-dead and undisciplined playoff games in recent memory.
The Sens dominated the first 20 minutes of the contest in every aspect except the scoreboard, as the Leafs took advantage of two Ottawa defensive faux pas and took a 2-0 lead on goals from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mitch Marner. Drake Batherson took advantage of a Stolarz error to narrow the gap to 2-1 after 20, but every time they threatened to get back into the game, their lack of impulse control kicked in and gave Toronto a chance to extend their lead.
The Leafs went 3-for-6 on the man advantage and extended their lead to 4-1 on goals from John Tavares and William Nylander. Super pest Ridly Greig narrowed the gap to 4-2, but Morgan Rielly responded 45 seconds later to re-establish the three-goal gap, with Matthew Knies adding some insurance late.
Ottawa head coach Travis Green indicated during a TV interview on ESPN that the plan for his club was to stay aggressive, but his young charges took things too far, registering 56 hits, 38 penalty minutes, and probably 200 cross-checks. The Leafs were able to stay disciplined and not take retaliatory penalties until the game was well in hand.
Greig was especially heinous in cross-checking Tavares for a minor that was originally ruled a major penalty and trying to take out Stolarz’s knee. If the Sens have any hope of winning the series, they will need to take it down a notch and be less over the top.
Ottawa was too ramped up and out of control. Stolarz outplayed Ullmark and the results were predictable. In game 2, I expect a more disciplined Sens team and a low scoring game. Leafs need to tighten up in front of their own net if they want to win this game. If Ottawa loses this game, it’ll be a short series. That would be great for the Leafs, if the Florida/Tampa series degenerates like they usually do and they kick the snot out of each other. It affords the Leaf a chance to get to the Conference finals.
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