Mar 30, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) makes a save on a shot from Ottawa Senators left wing Guillaume Latendresse (73) in the second period at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs had arguably their best performance of the season tonight in a 4-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs essentially dominated the game from start to finish and the result was barely ever in doubt. Once again Toronto was out shot, but the majority of the scoring chances came on the Ottawa goal.

It was the kind of effort that should give both the team and fans confidence as they continue to push towards the playoffs. The Leafs now have the luxury of several different scoring options and that means when someone is running cold, there are plenty of others that can pick up the slack.

Here are a few things that stood out from the game.

Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri

With Lupul missing much of the season due to a broken forearm, these two have seldom played together so far in 2013. On Saturday night, however, we were given a glimpse of what can be accomplished when they get an opportunity. Kadri picked up his second hat-trick of the season and the two combined for eight points on the night. If Phil Kessel could start clicking with them as well, then the Leafs would be looking at one of the more dangerous lines in hockey. Expect Kadri to be the number one centre going into next season, if not sooner.

James Reimer does it again

Reimer had another strong game against the Senators that finished in a 31 save shutout. He is now up to a 13-4-4 record with a .920 save percentage and two shutouts on the year. His play is especially impressive with all the trade rumours that have swirled around the team this season about Roberto Luongo. The Leafs couldn’t have asked for anything more from Reimer in 2013 and I’m not sure bringing in Luongo at this point even makes sense anymore.

Jake Gardiner scratched again

Gardiner was a healthy scratch for the second straight game and it’s a really puzzling decision. It’s one thing to not want him in there for whatever reason, but then why call him up to begin with? If Randy Carlyle isn’t happy with his defensive play then he should at least be working on it down with the Toronto Marlies, instead of eating popcorn in the press box. He has to learn and go through some growing pains eventually and it’s clear he has outgrown AHL competition. Nothing against Mike Kostka, but Gardiner should be in there.

Penalty Killing

For all the impressive performances from Leaf players this season, the improved penalty killing has been the most important factor in this team’s turnaround. Toronto was 28^th last year on the penalty kill and this year they are up to fourth. The Senators were 0-for-5 with the man advantage tonight and the Leafs did a great job while shorthanded in the first period to not allow Ottawa to gain any momentum.

Mar 11, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Kaspars Daugavins (23) is denied the goal on Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) in the shootout at Scotiabank Place. The Bruins defeated the Senators 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Far be it from me to ever praise something an Ottawa Senator did, but unlike many voicing their opinion on social media tonight, I actually thought Kaspars Daugavins’ shootout attempt against the Boston Bruins was very creative.

Daugavins has used this move at the AHL level before and it worked for a goal against the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010. I’m not a fan of shootouts in general because it’s basically a skills competition that has little to do with the actual game, but once you’re there you might as well pull some tricks out of the hat. Far too many players just go through the motions and fire one right at the goalie’s chest. If it worked before for Daugavins, it’s hard to call this attempt hot-dogging.

Let’s also give credit to Tuukka Rask for sticking with it and making an incredible save. Daugavins looked like he may have had him beat, but Rask stuck the pad out at the last second to turn it away. David Krejci promptly scored on the next attempt to give the Bruins a 3-2 victory, but hopefully that doesn’t discourage Daugavins and other shooters from mixing it up.

The fact that fighting is more a part of the game and accepted than these types of shootout moves is perplexing.