Toronto Maple Leafs: Everybody Just Take a Chill Pill

OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates the puck around the net during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates the puck around the net during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 18, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost their first preseason game last night.

It was the Toronto Maple Leafs first preseason game of eight, where the roster won’t truly resemble that of their everyday squad.

The number of tweets I read last night and this morning about the Leafs losing 6-2 to the Ottawa Senators and how the old Leafs are back was just too much.

I even received texts about how they’re bad again from friends.

Everybody, just chill, the Leafs aren’t bad at all.

Again, it was literally the first game of eight exhibition games where Mike Babcock and company will juggle players around like every other team does.

Although the Senators looked like they had iced their starting lineup for October, minus Erik Karlsson.

We’ll be referring to the box score above, so be sure to check it out.

The Statistics

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Some players looked lackadaisical with and without the puck last night, while others seem to have no rust from the offseason.

The former of the two, for the most part, are just getting into their pro careers, so I’m not too worried about them.

That being said, let’s focus on the positive from last night, but first, don’t pay attention to players +/- because it’s rather irrelevant here.

Morgan Rielly looked sharp despite not having instant chemistry with a new defensive partner, Ron Hainsey, rounding up two assists.

Auston Matthews  – wearing an ‘A’ last night – picked up right where he left off from the playoffs with a gorgeous snipe and a beautiful secondary assist on William Nylander’s goal.

Speaking of Willie, he had a fantastic game as well, so do you really want to break those two up right now?

I didn’t think so.

Miro Aaltonen and Calle Rosén looked comfortable out there, but most likely will be Toronto Marlies bound.

As for Timothy Liljegren and Travis Dermott, they didn’t have a terrible game, but there’s obviously room for improvement.

My guess is that we’ll see some developments as to who will fill the bottom left defender position in the coming days.

Lastly, Curtis McElhinney didn’t have a great game, that’s okay.

Round-Up

I like the ‘call every slash’ penalty for two reasons.

  1. It’s safer
  2. And it will keep players more accountable, helping to discipline them

Also, more penalties theoretically means more goals scored and we all like goals, right?

What I don’t like is the line infraction penalty for faceoffs in the offensive/defensive zone, it’s just a little difficult to consistently call.

The boys on Sportsnet after the game (linked above) talked about it a little more and pointed out that it’s hard for the official to carefully watch both centermen during a draw.

One time during the game, a Senators forwards foot was already across the line, but it was Connor Brown that got flagged for a late infraction.

Not a fan, but things can turn around with practice.

Lastly (and a shameless plug coming), this is my 300th article with Editor in Leaf, so I just wanted to say thank you to all of my readers for the support and conversations we’ve had over the last, almost year.

I value you all a lot in my development as a professional and appreciate the kind words you’ve had for me, even the ones that dislike me, we can agree not to agree.

Hockey for me is family, not a place to tear down others but to build each other up.

Next: Marleau's Whereabouts

Cheers.