Before I begin, let me caution everyone; it is only one game. Granted, it looks like the same old team from last season. Yes, I saw the silly defensive meltdowns. That is still going to happen this early in the season; the key is learning from their mistakes. Reilly and Brodie will still lead this team defensively; the forwards must help the defense in their own zone.
Andersen was not sharp. Again, I am not too worried about Andersen. Shaking the rust off of their goaltending is the least of the Maple Leafs' worries. The defense has to bail him out once in a while if he is not on his game.
Nylander has not missed a beat. He is still skating like the wind. He is still a sniper, ready to pounce every chance he gets. The offense was there on all cylinders and the Maple Leafs did not have trouble scoring goals.
It was nice to see Jimmy Vesey contribute with a goal. Nylander made a nifty set-up pass for Jimmy in front of the slot. It is vital that the secondary scoring pinch in with a goal now and then. Every goal Kerfoot, Vesey, and Simmonds can score will be a bonus. There will be nights other teams will be able to shut down the big four, and the Maple Leaf will have to find a way to win without them.
I am not a huge fan of fighting in the NHL. But Wayne Simmonds did seem to bring the Leafs to life with his fisticuffs. Simmonds will be a fan favourite; his robust play will lift the the team up just when needed.
I really loved the fact that the Leafs never gave up. They continued to battle back each time they fell behind. A good character win that they should keep in mind for the future. Reminding them that hockey is a sixty minute game.
Randy
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