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The Toronto Maple Leafs dominate the Ottawa Senators 6-2 to take Game 1 of their first-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Toronto opened the scoring in the first period with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Mitch Marner added another to make it 2-0 for the Maple Leafs.
With Drake Batherson cutting the deficit to one at the first intermission, a close game seemed like a possibility. But the Leafs offensive firepower was too much for the inexperienced Senators. Toronto scored three goals on the power play, which included goals from John Tavares, William Nylander and Matthew Knies.
Anthony Stolarz made 31 saves en route to the Game 1 victory. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Toronto.
At the 19:16 mark of the third period, there 10 penalties called in addition to Nick Robertson's high stick which started the fracas. It resulted in 4-on-4 hockey for the last minute.
Watch below the referee read out the grocery list of penalties.
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So the leafs have:
Seems good!
Shots:
Ottawa: 33
Toronto: 24
Hits:
Ottawa: 56
Toronto: 30
PIM:
Ottawa: 32
Toronto: 14
Faceoffs won:
Ottawa: 25
Toronto: 32
Faceoff %:
Ottawa: 43.9 percent
Toronto: 56.1 percent
Blocked shots:
Ottawa: 12
Toronto: 18
Ottawa:
Linus Ullmark: 18 saves on 24 shots (0.750 SV%)
Toronto:
Anthony Stolarz: 31 saves on 33 shots (0.939 SV%)
Ottawa:
Drake Batherson, Ridly Greig
Toronto:
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, Matthew Knies
P3 0:00 – Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
The Toronto Maple Leafs trounced the Ottawa Senators to take Game 1 of their first-round series. An impressive victory for Toronto to open the playoff series.
Shane Pinto and Chris Tanev exchange punches as the buzzer sounds. The Battle of Ontario has arrived.
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Max Domi wants to get in a fight with less than a minute to go. Pushing and shoving from both teams after Nick Robertson takes a high-sticking penalty.
This is the physical Battle of Ontario I remember.
P3 1:16 – Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
The Maple Leafs kill off the Senators penalty. Moments away from a Game 1 victory.
With three minutes left, the Ottawa Senators will have a powerplay down 6-2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson committed the penalty.
Morgan Rielly goals per game in the regular season: 0.10
Morgan Rielly goals per game in the playoffs: 0.21
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P3 5:33 – Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
It's another powerplay upcoming for Toronto. Scott Laughton draws a high sticking penalty.
Can the Maple Leafs score a seventh goal tonight?
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P3 6:47 – Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2
Looks like Matthew Knies' hand is OK. He scores with less than 10 seconds on the powerplay to give Toronto a four goal lead.
What an opening game for the Toronto special teams.
That's twice now that Matthew Knies has laboured to the bench after blocking a shot. Lots of love from his Maple Leafs teammates once he gets there, though. Though he's quickly shown the ability to rise to the occasion come playoff time, he's showing his readiness for the postseason in a new way tonight.
P3 6:55 – Maple Leafs 5, Senators 2
The Maple Leafs are back to the powerplay again. It's a Drake Batherson cross checking penalty.
It's Toronto's fifth powerplay tonight.
Matthew Knies is slow to get to the bench after taking a blocked shot in his left hand. The Maple Leafs have 17 blocked shots tonight.
Will be something to keep an eye on going forward.
P3 8:23 – Maple Leafs 5, Senators 2
The Maple Leafs keep their three-goal lead with eight minutes left. So much has gone right in this game for Toronto that hasn't in previous playoff games.
Two powerplay goals. A strong penalty kill. The "Core Four" forwards scoring big goals. Clutch saves.
I know, I know, it's just one game. But it's an exciting start to the Maple Leafs playoff campaign.
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Top Leafs by expected goals tonight?
Benoit-Ekman-Larsson pair.
P3 9:47 – Maple Leafs 5, Senators 2
Under 10 minutes to play in the third period and the Maple Leafs lead by three. Toronto is closing in on an impressive Game 1 victory while Ottawa might have a goaltender problem with Linus Ullmark.
The Leafs have scored five goals on 20 shots.
P3 15:15 – Maple Leafs 5, Senators 2
Morgan Rielly fires a shot from the point and keeps Linus Ullmark glove save. That's one that Ullmark has to make.
The Maple Leafs, less than a minute after giving up a goal, retain their three-goal lead.
