The Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs game was intense because it had several implications early in the season for both teams. One for the Senators: how the team will fare this year. For the Maple Leafs: can they take charge early in the season to make a statement in the Atlantic Division? If so, how will the game play out the next time they meet?
This game was as good as it gets, because Ottawa went down the stretch, playing serious defense to pull out the 3-2 win. They completely shut down Toronto’s offense throughout the game, to the point that the Leafs were completely frustrated, even goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. He ultimately took the blame for the loss, not blaming the defense.
He had a good outing, but not enough to win the game; Bobrovsky is adjusting well in the crease and will get on track as the days go by. The defense kept the team in the game; however, the offense was too slow to match Ottawa’s steamrolling play, which hurt Toronto.
4 Stats to Know In The Senators-Maple Leafs Game
The First Stat
The faceoffs went in favor of the Senators, 37-28. This is where the Ottawa dominated most of the game and took charge of their future by using these plays efficiently. This suggests that Senators bench boss Travis Greene has been working hard to get his team in gear.
Working on the faceoff circle was a brilliant move by the coach, and it worked incredibly well against the Maple Leafs squad. This was efficient because of the power plays the team had faced, even though Toronto forward Kirill Marchenko scored a PP goal during the contest.
It suggests the team’s chemistry is working well, and the name of the game is to win games against the Maple Leafs, who need to be more potent and pick up the slack.
The Second Stat
The power play went somewhat Toronto’s way, as the team had four power plays and scored one goal during that span. The Senators also had four power-play opportunities but couldn’t record a single point. This suggests both teams are still working on their power-play game, and it needs to improve.
Especially for the Maple Leafs, given the potent offense they’ve built but still need to turn into goals. This aspect shows how the Leafs’ coaching system will adjust. The team had several opportunities throughout the contest but didn’t score any points.
The Third Stat
Ottawa also dominated in the hits department, playing incredibly physical and bringing plenty of grit to the game. It was enough to shut down the Maple Leafs and win. This took a lot out of the Leafs’ offense and even their defense, as the game plainly wore the team down.
The Leafs have plenty of grit in their game, and the team must reassess how they play forward, especially against high-percentage teams.
This was the brutally honest point of journalists analyzing the Maple Leafs. They believe the team lacks the X-factor to close out games in a fashionable manner and play to lose. The Maple Leafs need to change by adjusting their gameplay and playing with a new level of confidence.
The Fourth Stat
This is where the game was interesting for both teams because of the gameplay. The shots on goal were tied at 29 apiece, and this game could have gone either way. The Leafs showed determination, but the Senators played with heart and won.
If the Senators keep playing as well as they did tonight, they will go far. The Toronto Maple Leafs must muster up their strength to start winning games and take charge of the league.
Main Image: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
