The Leafs got out to an early lead courtesy of Nazem Kadri. A smart pinch by Roman Polak started the play before Connor Brown fished the puck out of Oscar Klefbom’s feet and found Kadri wide open at the back post just a minute and a half into the game.
The Leafs didn’t play a particularly good period afterward, giving up 19 shots, their worst single-period shots against total this season. Still, they should’ve exited the period 1-0 up if not for a miscommunication between Frederik Andersen and Jake Gardiner behind the goal line that gifted one to Anton Lander in front with just 30 seconds left in the first.