Senators 3, Maple Leafs 2
Learn what you need right into a 3-2 win by the Ottawa Senators over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday afternoon on the Canadian Tire Centre.
Ottawa’s victory within the NHL pre-season opener for each groups received’t rely within the standings, in fact. However so far as first impressions go, it was a stable begin.
There have been dangerous moments, good moments, stuff that occurs with the group nonetheless early in coaching camp. When a lot of your regulars are sitting out, you possibly can count on that issues could be a bit ragged. For Ottawa, it was an amazing first interval, a shaky second interval and an enchancment within the third.
It was the large boys within the Senators lineup who generated a lot of the assault. Tim Stutzle had two targets, whereas Brady Tkachuk had the opposite. Seeking to get extra concerned offensively this season, defenceman Jake Sanderson had two assists.
Toronto left a number of of its large weapons, notably Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, at dwelling. Search for a greater Leafs lineup when the groups meet once more Monday night time in Toronto.
The Senators don’t open their regular-season schedule till Oct. 11 in Carolina, with seven extra pre-season video games. Within the large image, the pre-season is about studying techniques and discovering who/what will make it easier to within the months to come back.
Wins are good for morale and confidence so that they nonetheless rely for one thing.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s pre-season or common season, you all the time need to win,” stated Stutzle. “You need to discover your recreation, discover your arms, however you need to win.”
‘It’s concerning the particulars,” stated affiliate coach Jack Capuano, filling in for head coach D.J. Smith throughout the post-game media availability. “We applied a number of new techniques. We nonetheless need to see the exhausting work and relentless play, however we need to see sure areas of our recreation on the main points. This can be a good time for us to see the inspiration and the framework on how we’re going to play in all three zones.
“Yeah, you need to win video games, there’s no query. However you’re going to provide sure guys an opportunity; that’s what each group does within the Nationwide Hockey League.”
One of many brilliant spots within the first week of camp is the plain step forward being taken by Stutzle, who appears to be like like he has additional leap and has set his sights on including extra dimensions to his recreation, maybe with elevated time on the penalty-kill. The 21-year-old had 90 factors (together with 39 targets) final season. But it surely certain looks like there’s one other stage inside attain.
Requested what he expects of himself, Stutzle stated: “Win video games. That’s all that issues for us. We had a reasonably good begin right here right this moment. All people was working exhausting. I’m actually assured in my shot. I’ve been engaged on getting the puck out sooner, faster. I need to have the ability to play in all conditions. I feel I can simply preserve getting higher. However I don’t actually need to speak about myself; it’s the entire group.”
The primary interval was one-sided with the Senators outshooting the Leafs 24-7 and getting targets from Tkachuk (energy play), when he knocked a rebound previous busy Leafs goalie Keith Petruzzelli, and Stutzle, whose wrist shot discovered internet with 1:59 left.
The Leafs scored 9:32 into the second interval on a wrist shot by defenceman William Lagesson from close to the faceoff dot.
Toronto had a two-man benefit for practically a minute late within the interval, tying the sport 2-2 on an Alex Steeves purpose simply because the second Ottawa penalty expired.
Lower than a minute later, Ottawa made it 3-2 on a Stutzle power-play purpose.
The Senators had been penalized for too many males on the ice with 59 seconds left within the recreation. The Leafs pulled goalie Dennis Hildeby, who performed the third interval, and had a two-man benefit for practically a minute. However a few nice possibilities had been turned apart by Anton Forsberg within the dying seconds.
ICE CHIPS: Smith was a bit beneath the climate and had principally misplaced his voice. “If he will get mad, it’s fairly good we don’t hear him,” stated Stutzle, with amusing. “He didn’t say a lot,” stated Capuano. “We all know what his voice state of affairs is. So the coaches behind the bench picked up for him.” … Capuano, who was head coach of the New York Islanders from 2010-17, was requested about long-time Islanders ahead Josh Bailey, who’s in camp with the Senators on an expert tryout. “The fellows are rallying round an older man like that. He’s a high-character man, a very good teammate and he’s obtained expertise. On the finish of coaching camp, when administration has discussions, we’ll see the place it stands. However he’s going to get each alternative, identical to a number of of the opposite guys to show what they will do for this hockey membership.” … The First “Go Sens Go” chant got here 10 seconds into the sport … Fairly good illustration from Toronto followers who cranked up their “Go Leafs Go” chants within the center interval … The largest cheer of the night time, although, got here throughout a third-period marriage proposal on the Kiss Cam — and she or he stated sure. It was the one cheer Leafs and Sens followers may agree on.
