Both teams had three full days to watch tape, gameplan, and tweak their rosters. When all those adjustments collide, there are going to be some surprises.
That makes the start of a series anyone’s guess, and the Leafs sure got the upper hand on Washington early. Whether it was a lack of respect for the Leafs or an attempt to end the game early against a young team, the Capitals blitzed the Leafs on the forecheck with three men aggressively, and the Leafs took advantage of it.
The first goal of the game was a perfect example.