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McElhinney Leads Toronto Maple Leafs Past Ottawa Senators, 4-2

By Chris Okrainetz

Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A net on the Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. The Lightning beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A net on the Toronto Maple Leafs logo at center ice before the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre. The Lightning beat the Maple Leafs 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Behind the strong play of Curtis McElhinney, the Toronto Maple Leafs (20-13-8) defeated the Ottawa Senators (22-15-4) on Saturday night, 4-2.

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Thoughts and Observations

  • I know the Canadian Tire Centre is outside of Ottawa, but did Saturday night not feel like a home game for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

    • Curtis McElhinney had a great debut, stopping 35 of 37 shots. The 33-year-old veteran made a couple of big saves and gave the Leafs the exact kind of performance they’re looking for from their backup goaltender.

    Auston Matthews

    was having a quiet night until he went and did this:

    The brilliant setup by Matthews was just another example of how far ahead he is as a player. If

    Sidney Crosby

    or

    Pavel Datsyuk

    pulled a move like that I wouldn’t be surprised, but to see Matthews do these kind of things at 19 years old is mind boggling.

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  • Connor Brown found the back of the net on Matthews’ beautiful play and I think it’s safe to say that he’s found a long-term spot next to the Leafs’ budding superstar. Brown played on a line with Connor McDavid in junior hockey and he lit it up. Perhaps he will do the same thing playing next to Matthews.
  • The Maple Leafs have struggled a bit during 5-on-5 play recently, but for the second night in a row, William Nylander led the team in possession, finishing with a 61 CF%. Nylander has really picked up his play recently and his offensive skill set has complimented Nazem Kadri very well.

    • Speaking of Kadri, he’s on pace for 36 goals and 20 assists. His 12.8 shooting percentage is slightly above his career average, which is 10.8 percent, but unless he goes into a drought, he should surpass 30 goals this season.

    Guy Boucher has done a great job morphing the Senators into a more defensively responsible team and although they allowed four goals tonight, including a power play goal, Boucher’s system has helped put Ottawa in the top 10 for goals against and penalty kill percentage.

    The Leafs are now 8-0-2 in their last 10 road games and they have established a new franchise record for the longest road point streak.

    By the way, if the playoffs started today, the Leafs would play the Boston Bruins in the first round. How great would that be?

    Stat of the Night

    39.4 percent

    The Leafs struggled in the dot against Ottawa and only won 39.4 percent of their draws. Frederik Gauthier led the way winning six of the eight draws he took, while Kadri was dismantled in the circle, losing 16 of the 21 draws he took.

    McElhinney helped mitigate any potential damage when the Leafs lost a defensive zone draw, but the team obviously needs to improve in the face-off circle.

    What’s Next

    The Maple Leafs will head home and host the Buffalo Sabres (16-17-9) at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night. The Sabres host the Stars on Monday night and will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back when they take on Toronto.  Buffalo is 2-4 when playing in the second game of a back-to-back and have allowed an average of 3.33 goals against during those contests.

    Jack Eichel has brought life to the Sabres since he returned from an ankle injury and the team is 9-8-4 with him in the lineup. Keeping the puck out of their net has been problem, though, as Buffalo has given up three or more goals in four of their last five games. Considering the Leafs have scored three or more goals in nine of their last 10 games, I think we’ll hear the goal horn a few times on Tuesday night.

    Next: 2017 Draft Prospects to Keep an Eye on

    What did you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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