Canadian rivalry takes new turn as Toronto Maple Leafs shutout Montreal Canadiens 2-0 -NHL Update
The Canadian rivalry between Toronto and Montreal took a new turn on Thursday, October 6, as Maple Leafs shutout Canadiens, 2-0, in the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season opener at the overcrowded Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that struggled to make the top eight last season and was shunned out of the playoffs, managed to blank their Canadian rivals, which gives off a signal that this season could mean changes in ranking between the two opponents.
The first period of regulation remained scoreless for both teams as Maple Leafs managed to kill two power plays when John-Michael Liles and Luke Schenn were penalised with minor penalties.
Schenn’s penalty carried over into the second period but Matthew Lombardi did not let that disadvantage faze him by scoring the game’s first goal shorthanded 33 seconds in.
"We dominated the first period, but our mistake at the start of the second when they got their shorthanded goal changed our style of game", Montreal head coach, Jacques Martin, said. "They used that goal to take advantage of the period on our turnover".
Dion Phaneuf scored again for Toronto in the opening five minutes of the final regulation period off a pass from Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul along with killing two more power play chances for Montreal.
Having one of the NHL’s top penalty killers on the ice, David Steckel, acquired just a few days earlier from New Jersey Devils, it certainly made a difference for Toronto who were able to kill all 5 Montreal added man advantages.
"He's a 60 to 65 percent winner and that's a huge advantage, especially killing penalties", Toronto coach, Ron Wilson, said. "Every faceoff in our zone, as long as he wasn't winded on the bench, I put him out there. It's an advantage I haven't had since
I've been here, to have a real go-to guy for faceoffs".
Even though Montreal outshot Toronto by a huge, 32-18 difference, James Reimer blocked all 32 for his first shutout of the season.
Toronto Maple Leafs will play host again on Saturday, October 8, against Ottawa Senators, while Montreal Canadiens continue travelling to face-off against Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, October 9.
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