PRE-GAME:
It’s an exciting night in sports and specifically in hockey. Tonight is the opening night for the NHL with a couple great games highlight by three rivalries. First, there’s the battle of Pennsylvania between the Penguins, featuring Sidney Crosby, and the Flyers. There is also the battle of Alberta between the Oilers, featuring Taylor Hall, and the Flyers. Then last but not least, a classic rivalry between the only two Canadian teams from the original six, the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens.
This game has a lot of interesting matchups. Both teams will be lead by their new captains in the Maple Leafs’ Dion Phaneuf and the Canadiens’ Brian Gionta. Both teams will also start with their starting goalies that are under the radar. In Montreal, Price is expected to step it up from past struggles and for being chosen over playoff sensation Jaroslav Halak during the offseason. In Toronto, you have J.S. Giguere who was acquired in a trade involving former Leaf Vesa Toskala and over current backup Jonas Gustavsson. Continuing, you also have a battle of two elite veteran coaches in Jacques Martin and Ron Wilson.
This anticipated game also provides a lot of demands and expectations. With the Leafs, Kessel is expected to become the player they traded for, if not more. One of the Leafs’ first round pick in the trade with the Bruins ended up being top prospect Tyler Seguin who came with another first round and a second round pick. Then there’s the last man standing. You have the final Leaf remaining from the old regime in Tomas Kaberle who was recently stripped of assistant captaincy. This is a move that seems to indicate that he is on his way out sooner or later. Will Kaberle make a case to remain with the team? Along with Kessel and Kaberle there is Kris Versteeg who came by way of the current Stanley Cup champions in the Chicago Blackhawks.
With the Canadiens it simple comes down to two concerns. Carey Price’s performance under pressure and the injuries they have to deal with. The Leafs have it easy with John Mitchell and Jeff Finger out the lineup. The Habs are missing their top goal scorer from the previous season in Michael Cammalleri (serving a one-game suspension) and two of their best players on the blue line in Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik who our out with knee injuries. With that said, look at one of the game changers to be the Leafs power play which was ranked dead last in the 2009-2010 season. Can the Leafs take advantage of the Habs injuries woes?
In my opinion, this game means more to the Leafs. They are under more pressure to succeed with the Toronto media and fans all over them for the lacklustre season in the previous year. The goal was set by general manager Brian Burke...make the playoffs. If they don’t, Ron Wilson may very well be on his way out of Toronto. So look for the Leafs to be competing for a low playoff spot in the Eastern conference. Yes, maybe it’s a farfetched reality but if the players and management want to keep their jobs, they will have to go all out to achieve that. With that said, every game matters to this team. A win tonight can be the difference between making the playoffs and landing the 9th or 10th spot.
With that said onto the pre-game ceremonies. MLSE started the night with a lot of pre-game coverage and video packages. The pre-game was also hosted by the popular George Stroumboulopoulos who interviewed former Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph and then introduced Canadian band Hedley for their performance. It was interesting to see a lot of young teenage girls outdoors for the Hedley performance lip synching. I’m pretty sure they weren’t there for the game.
Following the musical performance we made our way into the Air Canada Centre. We are welcomed by Ron McLean and Don Cherry who was dressed to the nines (if it was the 1800s) in a Christmas coloured suit. Mr. Cherry didn’t have anything interesting to say. There was a ton of loud “Go Leafs Go!” chants and creative ice visuals to create a tingling feeling going into the game. To wrap it up, a lot of former Leafs lead by Johnny F’n Bower were introduced and the fans sang the national anthem.
As for my quick predictions, I expect the Leafs to with a score of three to two as they have more on the line and are at home. They will likely play a little sloppy at times and let in a few goals though. As for each teams standout players I expect Phil Kessel to have a good performance for the Leafs. Yes, he is there best player and that’s nothing impressive to predict. However, he is expected to do one thing more than anything else since the trade backlash, score goals. After all, his shooting abilities are his best asset outshining his fast skating and stick handling abilities. As for the Canadiens, I will confidently go with P.K. Subban. For you hockey illiterate individuals, he’s the black guy. Subban may very well be the definition of the ideal hockey player a team wants. The young man plays with heart and proved so as a replacement in last year’s playoffs with a surprising breakout performance. Expect Subban to make a statement to make his way to the top of the blue line to compete with Markov and Hamrlik.
FIRST PERIOD:
The faceoff is under way and...and...I missed it. I have a bad habit of picking up my phone at anytime. Good start to the review! Apparently, Scott Gomez won the draw against Tim Brent. Moving on, both teams try to start hot by focusing on their speed. Both teams are known as physically oriented and thus we are provided with a fast paced start. Unfortunately, nothing to exciting for the first few minutes as both teams’ respective defensemen were reading the offensive efforts.
Some good action is finally under way as Montreal puts on the pressure in the Leafs zone. Fortunately for the Leafs Luke Schenn blocks a shot. Unfortunately for the Leafs, they have problems clearing the puck. Trouble continues for the Leafs as they get caught on a line change but the results were not to threatening to the Leafs. The Leafs eventually ice the puck to regroup themselves.
The game picks up as both teams begin to create some scoring chances. Thomas Plekanec had two scoring chances but couldn’t get a quality shot off. On the other end, Thomas Kaberle took the puck down the ice, recovered his own blocked pass and created a good play that ended with Kessel almost putting the puck in the net.
The Leafs are itching for that goal and soon after they get it. Habs’ Plekanec makes a poor clearing attempt which lead to Phaneuf quickly letting off a shot to get the puck on net. Tim Brent got himself a half screen and immediately got his stick on the puck getting a good deflection fooling Price. The Leafs score at the 6:42 mark. Not a fancy goal by any means but a “Hockey 101” play. Rule number one, get the puck on net. Rule number two, get in front of the net.
Right off the next faceoff the Leafs put on the pressure and just two minutes later Kessel has a breakaway. He makes a quick deke on the inside and tries to slip the puck bottom right. Price gets the left pad on it; however, didn’t get his footing down nicely due to the speed of Kessel and slid backwards into the net. Although he made the pad save, his left leg and the puck made their way into the net. Leafs up two to zero at the 8:57 mark.
This is what the Leafs needed in my opinion. I know a two to zero lead is not a brilliant analysis but the Leafs needed to get the first goal. In general, they do much better than other teams when getting the first goal but unfortunately they haven’t done that too often over the past few years. The second goal is a damn good bonus.
A few more decent scoring chances both ways and momentum starts to change. Dustin Boyd scores Montreal’s first goal in an unassisted effort by quiet down the Air Canada Center at 14:02. It wasn’t the fanciest of goals but a solid snapshot from 11 feet out. The Leafs should be very thankful for those early goals. They have to play hard even with a comfortable lead.
The rest of the first period can be summed up in shots from too far out, a few more blocked shots by the Leafs and two penalties from the Habs. The Leafs didn’t capitalize on either power play finding trouble in getting off a good shot, let alone a good one. First period ends two to one in favour of the Leafs.
SECOND PERIOD:
The second period was watchable hockey but nothing too exciting. I found myself watching more than writing down much. There were a few notables though starting with both teams contributing to Montreal gaining some momentum. The first period had the Leafs taking more shots at 12 to 7 while the second period had the Canadiens 10 to 5. The second period also had the Leafs commit three penalties in a row and all within ten minutes of each other. The final notable, there were no goals scored with just a few potential scoring opportunities.
The Leafs started the second period continuing their power play from the previous period. Bozak won the period’s first faceoff but the most that came out of the power play was blocked and missed shots. The second period provided a little bit of change in the style of hockey as both teams seem to really on a more aggressive style. Beauchemin and Armstrong get credited with hits for the Leafs while Plekanec and Boyd do some damage for the Habs.
Side note: Maybe it’s just me but I’m noticing a lot of blocked shots. It could be the rivalry or it could just be me being extra attentive as I’m covering the game.
Anyways, at the 4:20 mark Phaneuf draws a hooking penalty and the Habs only got one shot off courtesy of Gionta. A decent wrist shot from 19 feet out. A few more hits later and the Leafs get exposed yet again for their inexperience. The team is served another two minute penalty, this time for too many men on the ice. The penalty is served by Clarke MacArthur. This power play provided a little more excited with three blocked shots, two shots on net, and a Plekanec shot that hit the goal post from a 13 foot snapshot.
After the Habs’ power play was done, they continue with more pressure getting another shot or two on net. Soon after, the Leafs draw another penalty courtesy of Luke Schenn for slashing. The power play provided nothing more than way too many turnovers and no shots on net. The Leafs will gladly accept that. Following Montreal’s third power play, both team exchange many hits and a few shots. Neither team got off a shot closer than 18 feet. The second period ended much like the first with Montreal getting a penalty with less than two minutes left. Mathieu Darche was assessed a two minute penalty for a delay of game when he shot the puck over the boards. The Leafs only got one shot on net courtesy of Kessel that was well read by Carey Price and we’re off to the second intermission.
THIRD PERIOD:
The third period starts with Bozak winning the draw against Scott Gomez. Soon after that, Clarke MacArthur scores a goal starting in the slot. MacArthur made a nifty move undressing the defence and putting in a backhand down low on Price at the 1:36 mark. The play was well assisted Kulemin and Grabovski. The teams exchange more than a few shots in under a minute and the next thing you know the Habs score a quick follow up goal that can be credited to their offensive pressure.
The Leafs got sloppy and turned the puck over near the boards and it lead to a shot on net. Maxim Lapierre got in front of the net and hit everything in sight. He got physical with the defence surrounding him, hacked the puck, and kicked the puck and it lead to the puck making its way to the left side of the net where Jeff Halpern put in an open net opportunity just above the crease. This goal was scored at the 2:28 mark.
As the Habs make their march towards a comeback, young defenceman P.K. Subban carried the puck from one end to the other. Subban dumped it, checked a Leaf and fought for the puck. Once again, this guy has a lot of heart and hustle. Look for him to develop into an impact player for the Habs. Over the next couple minutes only a few shots made their way on net and were all from far out. The intensity of the game picks up as the Canadiens landed some good checks courtesy of Subban and Gill.
Regrettably, momentum stops as the Subban lands a tripping penalty for the Habs. The Leafs did not create any threats on the power play thus far and this one was no different as they failed to land a shot on net. The Leafs had a lot of positive to take away from this game but their power play failures should become a growing concern as they could not capitalize on the Habs weakened blue line due to injuries. They finished the night 0/5 on the power play with three shots. This power play was followed with the most checks I have seen thus far in this game. I would guess there were a solid six to eight over the last three minutes.
This leaves us with six minutes left in the game and Montreal looking for the equalizer. Montreal did no favours for themselves by giving the majority of the shots to the Leafs over the next two minutes highlighted by a tip in by Versteeg that went wide of the net. Montreal finds more trouble with a two minute penalty courtesy of Tom Pyatt with less than four minutes left. Thankfully for the Habs the Leafs continued to be useless on the power play allowing Montreal to get two opportunities to score while getting zero shots on net.
The final two minutes of hockey provided some of the more exciting moments. Following their penalty kill the Leafs had an opportunity to score from sniper Phil Kessel with took a solid wrist shot on net. The Habs got aggressive and Plekanec had his shot blocked with just under a minute left. The pressure continues. The Leafs played poorly in two areas. The first one as we know was on the power play, the second one which lead to a goal earlier was sloppy turnovers.
The final play of the game exposed that second weakness of the Maple Leafs with a turnover behind the net. Habs’ captain Brian Gionta recovers the puck and makes an aggressive wrap around attempt with seven seconds left on the clock. Giguere makes an incredible save with a stretched left pad. Gionta makes a second attempt from his knees but Giguere’s left pad is still in the way. The puck makes its way down the right side of the Leafs’ end zone and ends up in the hands of P.K. Subban who unleashes a 42 foot slap shot with one second left that Giguere read well.
Buzzer goes off. The Toronto Maple Lesfs defeat the Montreal Canadiens three to two.
3 Stars:
1st Star – J.S. Giguere – Toronto
2nd Star – Dustin Boyd – Montreal
3rd Star – Clarke MacArthur – Toronto
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