Leafs Drop First Game of Second Round

The Leafs came into Philadelphia last night, after having just finished a tough seven game series against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday evening and played a well rested Flyers team that had been off since Saturday. While the game was fairly close in the first two periods, the Leafs clearly looked physically tired in the third period and were unable to generate any quality scoring chances to tie the game. The Flyers eventually got the insurance goal near the end of the third period putting the game out of reach.

If last night’s game showed the Leafs anything, it showed them they can definitely compete with the Flyers. They certainly were not overmatched physically, in fact, for the most part, the Flyers were unable to push the Leafs around as seriously as one may have expected. The Leafs were at a large disadvantage playing a well rested team. The two teams will now meet only once twice in the next six nights giving the teams a few days to rest and recuperate. These rest days will likely benefit the Leafs more as their older players can really use the rest. Also, if the series goes long enough, there is a possibility that both Sundin and Nolan could return which would give the Leafs a big boost.

The Leafs got two early power plays before the game was three minutes old; however, they were not able to score on either of them. Had the Leafs been able to put one past Robert Esche, it may have given them a little extra energy to get through the game and perhaps win it. A good sign was the seemingly improved play of Alex Mogilny. He scored one goal and had a few other chances including a shot off the goal post, while displaying a bit more of a spring to his step.

This is a game that could have gone either way; the result depended on which team got the breaks. The Flyers did and so they hold a 1-0 series lead, but fear not Maple Leaf fans, the Leafs will be a much more rested and determined team on Sunday. This will be a long series.