Leafs Drop Pre-season opener to Senators, 3-1 (Tom)

The third was an ENG, so it was a 2-1 game in hockey accounting.  Some impressions:

-Marner had two assists, which is remarkable when you lose 2-1.  He made the perfect setup for Kapanen's one-timer, and then the Ottawa goal soon afterwards.  It was a rusty giveaway, and not a big deal going forward.  Kas was surprised it ever came to a shot against, so him missing it is not a big deal.  Freddie definitely shoulda' had the first, however.

-Gauthier has evidently learned to skate this summer.  Amazing how good he looked, though he couldn't score on numerous chances.  I might have to pencil him back into the opening lineup.

-Spezza looks smart, not fast.  He's always been that, to great effect.  We'll see if he's fast enough.

-Kapanen might have been the most dangerous Leaf, even apart from his goal.

-Barrie has actual defensive instincts, to go with his offensive ones.  I might like him in the end, after all.

-I hope Bracco learns the rest of the game, because he's almost on Marner's level on the PP.  When he, Marner, and Barrie were on one PP, it was like a pinball game.

-Anyone but me notice that Engvall is ambidextrous on faceoffs?

-Schmaltz is a strong puck mover, and Gravel knows how to defend.  Not sure about the reciprocals.

-Muzzin was sluggish at the start.  He got better, but needs to find his sea legs.

Ottawa played the Leafs tight in their end, not giving up clean chances.  Toronto allowed several breakaways, by contrast.  So it's not DJ Smith's fault in Toronto that they've always done that.  The Leafs hit two posts, and are significantly the better team, so the result is not a big deal.  But the way Smith's team throttled Toronto's speed is a continuation of the way teams shut them down last year.