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The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators are in the second period in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series.
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Took just nine seconds for the Leafs PP to strike. They've been hot for months and it shows.
3-1 Leafs.
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P2 15:53 – Maple Leafs 3, Senators 1
That didn't take long. Toronto wins the faceoff and it's John Tavares who buries the powerplay goal.
The Maple Leafs struggled in the playoffs last year on the powerplay. They were 1-for-21 against Boston in last year's first-round series.
Huge start for the Toronto special teams.
P2 16:02 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
Tim Stützle with a boarding penalty, checking Chris Tanev. The Leafs have their first powerplay of the playoffs.
P2 16:18 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
Welcome to the playoffs, Anthony Stolarz. Right after denying Brady Tkachuk with a breakaway, he stops Shane Pinto with a point blank chance to tie the game.
Stolarz's stellar end-of-season performance is continuing in Game 1 for Toronto.
P2 18:50 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
Brady Tkachuk had a breakaway chance but Anthony Stolarz denies him with the pad save.
Huge save for the Maple Leafs goalie to open the second period.
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P2 20:00 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
We're underway with the second period from Scotiabank Arena.
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One more commercial break and it's time for the second period from Scotiabank Arena. It will be fascinating to see if the Maple Leafs can keep up their energetic play throughout the lineup.
Ottawa already has two defensive mistakes leading to goals. Also, there's no been power plays in this game so far.
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The Senators started that period with structure and held their own physically. But those two goals hurt, especially since they came off defensive miscues. That needs to be better.
But that Drake Batherson goal will help. Also helps that they've stayed out of the box.
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Shots:
Ottawa: 13
Toronto: 5
Hits:
Ottawa: 20
Toronto: 19
Faceoffs won:
Ottawa: 9
Toronto: 12
Blocked shots:
Ottawa: 6
Toronto: 6
Takeaways:
Ottawa: 1
Toronto: 3
Giveaways:
Ottawa: 8
Toronto: 10
Auston Matthews deserves some credit for his in incredible stretch pass from deep in his own zone to set up Mitch Marner's goal. He bumped Tim Stutzle in the seconds beforehand to get proper body positioning. Matthews then continued his fine playmaking by seeing a streaking Marner.
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The Senators outshot the Leafs 13-5 in the first period. High-danger shot attempts though, those favoured the Leafs 4-1.
A fast-paced first period is in the books. Ottawa's Nick Jensen leads all players in ice time with 8:24. Jake McCabe paced the Leafs at 7:33.
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P1 0:00 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
Through one period, the Toronto Maple Leafs by one over the Ottawa Senators. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mitch Marner scored for Toronto while Drake Batherson made it a one-goal game for Ottawa.
Fun start to this series.
I was just saying how I felt the Sens were lacking in high-danger opportunities and then Drake Batherson scores. Sens have their first of the series.
P1 3:42 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1
Brandon Carlo can't clear the puck out of the zone. Instead, he turns the puck over.
Cozens shoots the puck on net, but Anthony Stolarz can't control the puck. He gives up a rebound to Drake Batherson, who buries the puck behind the net.
Ottawa cuts the deficit in half.
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That’s a huge goal for Mitch Marner. The Leafs need him to score more in these playoffs than he has in the past.
Also of note: The Leafs have beaten Linus Ullmark twice on their first four shots.
P1 7:42 – Maple Leafs 2, Senators 0
Mitch Marner was the Maple Leafs' leading scorer in the regular season. He's on the score sheet in Game 1.
Auston Matthews with the quick outlet pass to Marner, who takes advantage of the Senators defensemen. Marner beats Linus Ullmark top shelf to give Toronto a 2-0 lead.
Fans are chanting 'Brady sucks!' at Scotiabank Arena.
