Tonight is the first game this season where Ottawa deserved to lose but came out with the win. They were awful in the first period, not very good in the second, and were average in the third, but won anyway. They broke the Brian Lee losing streak (who played the least among the blueliners) and got a good performance out of Craig Anderson. Stephane Da Costa was benched for the entire third period. It wasn’t a great night for the officials, but fortunately they did not decide the game. For the box score go here link. Here’s a look at the goals scored:
1. Toronto, Bozak
Anderson is beat short side on a routine shot
2. Gonchar (Daugavins, Smith)
On a delayed penalty call Gonchar has an open net after Daugavins‘ kicks the puck across the crease
3. Foligno (Karlsson, Anderson) (pp)
Scores on a breakaway on a 5-on-3
4. Smith (unassisted)
Chooses to shot on a 2-on-1 with Karlsson
5. Toronto, Lupul
Winchester gives the puck away and Lupul banks the puck in off Karlsson
6. Foligno (unassisted)
Empty-netter
7. Michalek (unassisted)
Leafs scores on themselves
Here are the top performers:
Nick Foligno – simplified his game and scored a beautiful goal
Zack Smith – excellent penalty killing to go along with the goal
Erik Karlsson – was better defensively and was a key part of two goals scored
Craig Anderson – wants the first goal back, but was good after that (especially in the third period)
Players who struggled:
Chris Phillips – tied with Spezza with the team lead in turnovers and took two bad penalties
Bobby Butler – yes, he did play tonight
Stephane Da Costa – I didn’t have a big problem with his game, but when you get benched, clearly the coaching staff is not happy
eyeonthesens 