Toronto Maple Leafs: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly After 2 Games

The Bad: Slow Starts

Luckily for the Maple Leafs, there isn’t much that is wrong with the team. However there are some concerns early on. We do have to remember that it is still too early to panic, so all we can do is hope that these bad things get corrected sooner rather than later.

Some habits are more difficult to get rid of and for Toronto it is starting the game on time. In both games so far this season, Toronto has not come out strong. Montreal’s goal in game one and all three of Ottawa’s goals in game two were scored in the first period.

The Toronto Maple Leafs could have started the season 2-0 had they showed up on time in the first period against the Senators. It should be noted that Ottawa’s goals were deflections and there wasn’t much that Mrazek could do. With that being said, if Toronto started the game off strong, Ottawa wouldn’t have had the puck so much.

Ottawa had the puck, they controlled the pace of the game and they had good things happen when they shot the puck towards the net.

 Team Defense

Part of the problem with the overall team defense can also be attributed to Toronto’s slow starts. There have been too many turnovers and odd man rushes against. Montreal’s goal on Wednesday came on a 2-on-1 odd man rush.

Ottawa’s first goal on Thursday was the end result of a turnover by Pierre Engvall. Instead of chipping the puck out of the Toronto zone, Engvall tried to pass the puck back to Justin Holl. Holl wasn’t expecting it, and Ottawa picked it off. Ottawa controlled the play and ended up scoring.

Ottawa’s third goal and eventual game winner was scored after Toronto again failed to get the puck out of their zone when they had the chance. These types of plays can’t happen and Toronto will have to do a better job when they have the puck.