The Maple Leafs had a season-high 55 shots on goal in their return to Tampa.
The Maple Leafs had a season-high 55 shots on goal in their return to Tampa.
It was the first game in Tampa for the Maple Leafs since their Game 6 overtime win in the playoffs, and man, it didn't disappoint.
Several goals, plenty of firsts on the year, and a lot of action from both teams. And again, like the games in the playoffs, this one went to overtime. Toronto's core helped jump-start the game and finished it. They now have 13 of the Maple Leafs' 18 goals so far this season.
It was an exciting game, with the Maple Leafs winning in the end. Here are some observations from the matchup of two juggernauts.
John Tavares' start
At 33 years old, you'd expect a player to produce less at the NHL level. However, that's not in Tavares' plans.
He had an assist on William Nylander's first period goal on Saturday, putting him at seven assists in five games this year. Including his now two goals on the season, too, Tavares has nine points to begin the year.
His game, in every aspect, has impressed me since the beginning of the year. Whether it be his skating, his strength on the puck, or his playmaking, Tavares is having a terrific start alongside Nylander.
Both of them had five shots on Saturday, tied for the most on Toronto with Mitch Marner.
Ilya Samsonov out, Joseph Woll in
It is very early in the season, but I wonder how much leash Samsonov has left as the assumed number-one goaltender in Toronto. He allowed three goals on four shots vs. the Lightning and has a below .900 save percentage to begin the year.
Woll came in relief of Samsonov and looked very calm. The 25-year-old didn't allow a goal against on Saturday, stopping all 29 shots, and showing once again why he could be Toronto's 'goalie of the future'.
If I were Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, I'd give Samsonov more time to return to form. It's not fully on him either as Toronto's defense hasn't been good to begin the season.
Once the Maple Leafs' defense gets going, I believe everything else will fall into place, including Samsonov's game.
Pontus Holmberg's season debut
The Maple Leafs scratched rookie Fraser Minten on Saturday, and in his place came Holmberg from the Marlies. The 24-year-old doesn't have many flaws in his game.
He's great at both ends of the rink, can play in almost any situation, and has plenty of experience as a center at the NHL level. Holmberg had several chances on Saturday in Tampa as he centered Toronto's fourth line.
Holmberg, again, brings an element of experience that Minten doesn't have yet. And that begs the question: Is Minten's time in the NHL this season running out?
The other observations
- I thought Tyler Bertuzzi had a good game. He bounced around throughout the lineup but put together several good shifts, which saw him have a few scoring chances.
Bertuzzi's dealing with an ailment, too, which could be part of the reason why he's not looking as comfortable as he should. But this game is a step in the right direction.
- Nylander has four goals in five games to start the season. If anyone is feeling it to start the year, it's him. It's a big year for the 27-year-old with the contract negotiations. But it doesn't even look like it's crossed his mind once.
I wonder if he hits 50 goals this season.
- Max Domi seems to be getting more comfortable with his new team. I thought his confidence grew as the game went on. He had primary assists on both of Matthew Knies' goals in the game. (Those two goals were Knies' first of the season.)
Could this be the emergence of the player they signed to live out his childhood dream? It could be. But speaking about the duo of he and Knies, they lit a spark on Saturday night. I wonder with that spark, if the two can create a fire in the future.
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