Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby faired well in net but a defensive miscue from Nicolas Mattinen was the difference in a pre-season loss in Ottawa.
The Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Ottawa Senators 2-1 in pre-season action at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday.
The result, of course, is forgettable. But there are lessons to be learned.
Defense still learning under Craig Berube
For the second consecutive night, the Maple Leafs got caught deep in their zone on coverage. With Toronto up 1-0 in the first period, all five players got caught on the left side of the ice, leaving Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson open on the point to beat Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz.
On Sunday, the Leafs dressed a star-studded lineup and were caught in a similar situation for several Ottawa goals. It's clear that there are some adjustments the Leafs are going through under Berube and his system and it's very much a work in progress.
Costly Mattinen Miscue
While on the powerplay defenseman Nicolas Mattinen was alone with the puck in his own zone. Struggling to find a teammate, Mattinen turned the puck over to a waiting Zack Ostapchuk, who have Ottawa the game-winning goal in the third period.
The Maple Leafs signed the 6-foot-5 defenseman to a one-year, two-way contract eight years after initially drafting the player. Not projected to make the roster, he's a depth piece that could be called upon in the way of injuries.
Having spent the last two years playing on European ice, this might have been something that doesn't happen with more room to maneuver. But it's pre-season and the player will have plenty of time to learn it with the Toronto Marlies.
Stolarz and Hildeby show well in goal
Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby played well in front of a Senators club dressing their top players. Stolarz made 15 saves on 16 shots, while Hildeby made 10 saves on 11 shots, including an impossible stretch save he made just minutes after coming into the game in the second period.
Holmberg throwing his weight around
There's no love lost between the Maple Leafs and Senators and Pontus Holmberg reminded Ridly Greig that he didn't forget about the player's antics last time the club visited Ottawa.
Greig ended up leaving the game after the hit due to dental issues, according to the team. Last year, Greig took a slapshot into an empty net against the Leafs, which prompted Morgan Rielly to crosscheck the player in the head in retaliation.
Later in the game, Holmberg had to answer the bell against Cole Reinhardt. Holmberg is fighting for a depth spot on the roster and continues to be a solid depth player for the club. Although he started as a center, he played at wing at times last season and his versatility can prove valuable.
Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson look good, Easton Cowan wasn't a difference-maker
All three young players got a lot of ice time. Knies made a couple of nice plays to retrieve the puck. Nick Robertson was doing what Berube wants him to do, playing a north-south game while competing for pucks. Easton Cowan, however, was hardly noticeable. While not a terrible thing, Cowan, playing in his second game, needs to make his presence felt to make the Leafs and you just didn't get that sense in his second game of the pre-season.
