Last night, the Leafs had more difficulty than expected against a Canadiens team that was able to exploit the Toronto defense in transition. The game was close thanks to a couple of rush goals from the Nylander-Tavares-Malgin line and a first-period Michael Bunting tally, but it was a pair of Justin Holl and Jake Muzzin turnovers in the final 30 seconds that ultimately sunk the game for Toronto. After the game, Sheldon Keefe did not mince words about expecting a lot more from his team heading into the home opener tonight.
Washington — currently without Tom Wilson, Nick Backstrom, and Carl Hagelin due to injury — is also coming off a tough loss Wednesday night in which they fell 5-2 at the hands of the Boston Bruins.