First Period

I did not enjoy this period of hockey. The Leafs tried every wrong way to exit their zone, relying on a lot of useless dump-outs to buy time.

The dump-ins I can live with. It's not that it doesn't work, it's that it works less well than a controlled carry. Dumping out means you can't figure out how to exit the zone at all.

These are the highlights:

Decent chance number one:

Decent chance number two:

After one it was zero-all, a very apt score. Luckily Ottawa didn't put their zone time gifts to good use.

This is two teams playing badly. Expected Goals at 70% for Ottawa though on volume.

Second Period

Five goals in the second should have made it better, but it was frustrating to watch, and filled with more zone exit problems.

1-0 Leafs

Tie Game

2-1 Leafs

Tie Game

First penalty of the game:

Dumb fight:

After two it was 3-2 Ottawa.

Both teams got nearer the net, hence the score.

The Leafs are totally capable of winning this game, but they sure want to annoy us all on the way.

Third Period

Leafs with some sustained offensive pressure in the second half.

Ottawa finally shoots the puck over the glass so there is a penalty called.

John Tavares backchecking a Claude Giroux rush is the highlight.

Ridley Greig missed the empty net. But his second try at it worked. However that try was offside.

Leafs played better offensively in the third period, but 40 minutes of not being able to execute basic defensive plays can't be overcome with a couple of cycles. Not always, anyway.

That said, the genius plan in the final minute after the goal review was a dump and chase.

Michael Amadio finally gets the ENG.

Final score is 4-2 Ottawa.

Next game is Monday night against Calgary.

Game Coverage