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Toronto Maple Leafs Play Terrible, Get Thrashed By Senators

By James Tanner

Sep 24, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save as Ottawa Senators forward Angus Crookshank (59) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann (74) and defenseman Mikko Kokkonen (84) close in during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save as Ottawa Senators forward Angus Crookshank (59) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann (74) and defenseman Mikko Kokkonen (84) close in during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs were missing Auston Matthews for their Friday night game against the Ottawa Senators.

It showed.  The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled to generate offense and looked listless for most of the night.

In the end, even Ilya Samsonov’s great home record could not save them.

The final score: Ottawa 6, Toronto 2.

Toronto Maple Leafs Have Possible Worst Game of Season

Matt Murray was scheduled to start for the first time in a while, but he was injured in warm up, and Samsonov got his fifth game in a row.

The Leafs power play stunk, they had too many turn overs, they may have set a record for lazy one-handed attempts at defense, and Samsonov had a bad night.

Pontus Holmberg was one player I was watching with interest last night, as he was promoted to the second line (surprisingly) when news of Matthew’s sprained knee broke.

Holmberg was OK, but he took six minutes in penalties, and that mostly killed any momentum he could have generated.   At the start of the game he got two quick scoring chances on feeds from Nylander, and maybe if he scored the game would have been different.

Overall, it’s not like he was terrible or the reason the Leafs lost. I would be happy to see him continue to get extra ice time with Matthews out, as one game doesn’t really tell you anything.

After the game, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain 12 points back of Boston (which seems crazy since they’re in 3rd place overall) and five points up on Tampa.

The loss last night was the Leafs first in regulation in 5 games, and they will take on the Washington Capitals on Sunday.

That game could very well be started by Erik Kallgren if Matt Murray can’t go, as the Leafs probably wouldn’t hate giving Samsonov a rest after his terrible performance.

Next. What the Leafs Need for the Playoffs. dark

The Toronto Maple Leafs will play once more after Sunday before the All-Star break.  That will be Wednesday against the league leading and possible record setting Boston Bruins.

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