Senators Spoil Leafs Home Opener…Again

For just over fifty four minutes of hockey, it appeared the Maple Leafs were finally on their way to a different outcome against the Ottawa Senators in their season opening match up on Wednesday night, at least until the now pocket-heavy Dany Heatley took over. For the third consecutive year, the Maple Leafs began their season at home against their provincial rivals but just as they have the previous two years, the Leafs fell to the Senators on opening night.

Ottawa jumped on the scoreboard first when Antoine Vermette beat Andrew Raycroft, who got the start in favour of sacrificing Vesa Toskala to the always judgmental gathering at Air Canada Centre. Nik Antropov responded for the Maple Leafs picking two goals but Daniel Alfredsson would even the score at two goals a side by the end of the opening frame. In the second period, the Maple Leafs grabbed the lead back on a goal from Matt Stajan, who carried his solid preseason play through to the regular season with an effective outing tonight. Fresh after signing a six year contract extension worth $45 million, Dany Heatley tied the game at three late in the third period to push it to overtime. Once the extra frame began, it was Heatley who struck again sending a capacity gathering home unhappy.

Despite a disappointing overtime loss, the Maple Leafs did show they could play with the Senators and play well against them. When the Maple Leafs made sure they were the team establishing the tempo and style of play, they were able to keep the Senators’ powerful offensive attack under control. Clearly not a team capable of matching up man for man from a talent standpoint, the Maple Leafs experienced success by getting the Senators to play away from their strengths as a team. For much of the game, an aggressive forecheck and pressure on the puck carrier took away the Senators’ time and space preventing Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley from running wild.

Trouble started though for the Maple Leafs late in the third period when they got away from being aggressive and instead sat back trying to play to “not get scored on.” In doing that, the Senators were able to take advantage of their speed and skill breaking down the Maple Leafs in their defensive zone. Sitting on a one goal lead and letting the Senators skate with the puck at will is simply not an option that will lead to success.

The top line of Nik Antropov, Mats Sundin and Jason Blake looked like a formidable unit for most of the game but it was the netminding of Andrew Raycroft that once again left Leaf fans scratching their heads. After allowing a goal on the third shot he faced, Raycroft faced several rounds of sarcastic cheering from fans that are clearly becoming frustrated with his perceived inconsistency. He looked like he was fighting the puck for most of the game and did not appear comfortable or confident in his ability. Though he did settle down and look strong at times, it was his inability to come up with a big save at a crucial time late in the game which ultimately cost the Leafs. New season, same story. The Leafs played well enough to win but goaltending and short lapses let them down again.

Both teams get right back at it when they hit the ice at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa for the second half of their home and home series on Thursday night.