Toronto Maple Leafs

Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 3-2 Win Over Senators

Last night the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2. What were the three key takeaways from the game?

by
Old Prof
October 16, 2022

All week long Toronto Maple Leafs’ fans have been waiting to see if goalie Matt Murray would be able to bounce back from an opening-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens as he faced his old team the Ottawa Senators. They never got the chance. Murray was somehow injured during the first few minutes of practice this morning and before the game and was placed on LTIR for at least four weeks.

In stepped Ilya Samsonov, who stopped 25 of 27 shots to earn the win – his second of the season. The winning goal was scored by none other than Justin Holl, who pinched in to knock home a bouncy puck for his first goal of the season.

The final score was 3-2 for the Maple Leafs. It was a tough game and the Senators played well.

Takeaway One: Ilya Samsonov Is Looking Better

Ilya Samsonov looked different to me in this game than he did on Thursday night against the Washington Capitals. He was calmer and just seemed more confident. His head coach Sheldon Keefe agreed.

After the game, coach Keefe was quite laudatory about his new goalie. “He (Samsonov) looked really calm and settled in the net. You could tell his confidence grew from one start to the next. That is what you are looking for: a guy to get comfortable.”

It had to have been a relief for the whole team that Samsonov came through. Keefe alluded to that when he spoke about the bigger picture. He noted that Samsonov was seeking “an opportunity” by signing with the Maple Leafs.

All eyes are now on Ilya Samsonov. With Matt Murray out at least four weeks with an adductor injury, Samsonov figures to get the bulk of the time in the Toronto Maple Leafs' net. (@lukefoxjukebox)https://t.co/N6Z96gNgYb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 16, 2022

Keefe added that Samsonov was “on a bit of a mission this season. Now the door is really open there for him. We are going to have to lean on him more than we would’ve. We had plans to share things in the early going and give both guys an opportunity to get some traction. Things have changed a little bit.”

For me, as well, it will be good to see Erik Kallgren again in the goal. I thought he played well last season for the team. I have no doubt he can do it again. Keefe noted that “Kallgren is going to get an opportunity.”

Takeaway Two: Justin Holl Has Second Good Game in a Row

How can a player play so poorly in one game and then play heroic hockey in the next two? That was the fate of Justin Holl. He looked so panicky against the Canadiens; however, in his last two games, he looked not even close to panicky. He looked on top of his game both offensively and defensively.

He stood up to Alex Ovechkin – literally – on Thursday. Last night he looked every bit as good and even honed in on the puck. He made a smart play at the end of the second period to be aware of the situation – it didn’t work, but it showed he was still thinking through the game.

Takeaway Three: William Nylander Is Carrying this Team

William Nylander is playing as well as I can remember seeing him play. He’s active, doesn’t seem to back away from difficult situations; and, for good measure, still has his world-class offensive skills. He didn’t have a point on Thursday, but he was still good.

Last night, Nylander scored a power-play goal on a great pass from Auston Matthews. It was a gorgeous goal. In fact, both goalies were playing so well that it took that kind of good play to beat Anton Forsberg. He was every bit as good in his crease as Samsonov was in the Maple Leafs’ net.

Nylander has really looked solid during this season. He has three points in three games. Is this a point-a-game season for him?