49th Win = TML Record !

The promising Ottawa Senators (28-40-4) hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier tonight on a bit of a middling streak of 5 wins in their last 10, only 13 goals in their last 5 and an injury to D leader Thomas Chabot.  Anton Forsberg was in goal for the latest in the battle of Ontario.  The top line of Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris and Connor Brown could last for the next decade.

Toronto was coming off a convincing 7-3 win over Washington and boasts a recent 8-1-1 record.  Erik Kalligen was in net and the suddenly hot Ilya Mickaev was hoping to add to the 17 goals he has scored since mid-January.  The only concern the Leafs may have had was there record (0-4-15) on the PP over the past 3 games.

The Senators were coming off a big win vs Boston and seemed to be still on that high.  Following a great forecheck/attack sequence by the Leafs, the Sens broke out on a 2 on 0 to allow Tim Stuezle to convert his 19^th on a beautiful Tkachuk feed. Just 1:11 later, Del Zotto was credited with a rattle around point shot from Norris and Brown. 2-0 Sens.

A good solid playoff period was good for both in the second.  Good practice for the Leafs and a good teaching lesson for the young Senators.  In for a resting Muzzin, Justin Holl sent in a nice point shot from Giordano that was converted by Kyle Clifford less than 3 minutes in.  Audette tipped in a one hopper to regain the Sens 2 goal lead.  Michael Bunting got that back with his 60^th point, again off a Giordano feed.  Both teams turned up the jets throughout the middle stanza with great chances at both ends.  Mitchell Marner tied it up thanks to good O-zone pressure.

Coach Keefe went back to his “traditional” second and third line alignments for the third (ie Tavaeres/Kerfoot/Nyllander and Kampf/Engval/Mickaev).  After a mistake/giveaway by Lyubushkin early, the Sens went back out front 4-3 as Stuetzille scored his 20^th.   Mitchell Marner then got his 93^rd point off a neutral zone turnover and a beauty backhand Bunting pass.  Some real good hockey ensued until the clock ran off and we were going to overtime. 

Some great 3 on 3 back and forth decided nothing until Mark Giordano scored to put a bow on the win and his 3 point night.  Final Leafs 5, Ottawa 4.

HOPPER NOTES:  tonight’s Leafs win was their 49^th, a franchise record…the Senators looked back at the Leafs after the game winner, jealous – just like a green eyed lady I used to know…their time will come…the Atlantic Division with the surging Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and even the Montreal Canadiens will all be reckoned with in years to come…puck drop at 7:16 – why didn’t you warn us – I could have watched the USFL ! …suggestion for Sheldon – why not let the “second” team start the PP every now and then – quite often Johnny T and/or Matt/Mar look gassed as the call is made…a little help here, have the Leafs made a better trade deadline deal than Mark Giordano ?  Compare Ron Francis, Brian Leetch, Nick Foligno etc, etc, etc ?

Cheers – Happy Easter everyone !