Leafs can flex muscles early
Cup contenders need to set tone against Senators
Prior to a pre-season game against the Maple Leafs a couple of weeks ago, Ottawa defenceman Ron Hainsey was asked about the keys to containing players such as Auston Matthews, his former teammate.
Hainsey’s reply: “Keep them out of your zone with possession as much as possible.”
Hainsey will try to apply that approach against the big Leafs centre in Wednesday’s season opener in Toronto, though he knows the task won’t be easy.
In 12 career games against Ottawa, Matthews has put the puck in the net 10 times.
Here are five things to watch for when the Leafs and Senators kick off the NHL season:
1.
Set the tone
Considering the Maple Leafs should be Stanley Cup contenders and the Senators barely will be regular-season pretenders, it’s on the Leafs to control the game from the outset, no matter what the visitors might bring. “His team is prepared, they’re playing hard, they’re playing well,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said of Sens coach D.J. Smith, his former assistant. Big deal, we say. The Leafs are better. Demonstrate as much from the opening faceoff. Don’t have members of Leafs Nation pondering their life choices after Game 1.
2.
M and M
Based on salary, Mitch Marner will be the highest-paid player in the NHL this season at Us$16-million. Next is Auston Matthews, tied with teammate John Tavares at $15.9-million. As such, each of the three have the potential to take control. Babcock keeps talking about how Matthews and Marner are better this year, and there shouldn’t be much of an issue on getting past challenges against Ottawa.
3.
PK OK?
The Leafs get a first look at their revamped penalty-killing units. The top three penalty killers in Toronto last season — Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey and Connor Brown — are now with Ottawa. Jake Muzzin, Martin Marincin, Marner and Trevor Moore are among those who will get more PK time for the Leafs.
4.
Brown’s big chance
After scoring 20 goals as a rookie three seasons ago, Brown got lost in the shuffle in Toronto, scoring 22 goals in the past two seasons combined. The Toronto native will be front and centre in the nation’s capital. You can bet he’ll have some fire in his belly after being traded to Ottawa in the off-season.
5.
Advanced chemistry
The Leafs’ roster might need some time to jell. Having said that, we’re curious to see what comes from the third line. Alex Kerfoot didn’t exactly set camp on fire, while Ilya Mikheyev continues to get his feet wet. Trevor Moore, however, appears primed for a larger role after scoring three goals in the pre-season.