Alfredsson Lead Sens Past Leafs

At long last, a conspicuous absence at Air Canada Centre for well over five hundred days vanished tonight as the Toronto Maple Leafs finally returned to action in the season opener against their archrival, the Ottawa Senators. Before a capacity crowd and a playoff-like atmosphere, the two teams played a very tight, competitive game: a typical Leafs vs. Senators matchup. In the end, it was the Senators taking the win in historic fashion as they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first shootout in NHL history. The fact that Toronto and Ottawa played in the first NHL shootout is somewhat fitting as in 1922, the two teams competed in the game that saw the NHL’s first tie, the aspect of the game the shootout has replaced.

The Leafs showed they were a competitive team capable of battling teams with a methodical approach to the game. With the loss of Mats Sundin early in the first period to an injury, which has been reported as a laceration to the area around the eye, the Leafs did a good job of staying in the game with sound defensive play and a noticeable focus on taking care of the defensive zone first. However, against a team as offensively gifted as the Ottawa Senators, it is difficult to shut them down for an entire game. The Senators two goals, both scored by Daniel Alfredsson, came on defensive breakdowns by the Leafs which will certainly be addressed by Pat Quinn before Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Jason Allison and Eric Lindros, two of the Leafs’ major off season acquisitions, played well in their Leafs debut and will have to keep up their strong play over the next few weeks in the absence of Mats Sundin. Allison looked comfortable on the power play and will undoubtedly bring much success to that aspect of the game as the season wears on. Lindros, who seemed to improve as the game went on, was a major physical presence and scored the Leafs second goal.

It was a very comforting outcome for a legion of fans unsure about the type of team they were getting out of the 2005-2006 edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite the loss, the Leafs showed they can certainly compete against a team that many predict to be the representative of the Eastern Conference in this year’s Stanley Cup Final. Not to worry Leafs fans, our boys will be in good shape this year.