After an off-season of change, the Maple Leafs figure to struggle scoring goals, but the offense looked in mid-season form as they put continued pressure on the Montreal defense with 37 shots on goal, but the lone score came on a power play just 19 seconds into the second period, tying the game at 1-1.
The Canadiens opened the scoring in the first period when Max Pacioretty put a shot past Jonathan Bernier, just over three minutes into the contest. P.K. Subban assisted on the score and it put a definite silence on the sold-out crowd of 19,241 at the Air Canada Centre.
James van Riemsdyk even the game with the lone goal from the ‘Leafs, bringing the loyal fans of the team to their feet, but there wasn’t much else to cheer about as Toronto starts the 2015-16 NHL season 0-1.
Montreal broke open the contest in the final minutes when Alex Galchenyuk scored with just under eight minutes left in the game. Pacioretty put the finishing touches on the game with his second goal of the contest, an empty net score with just 31 seconds left in the final period.
Bernier stopped 27 of the 29 shots he faced and Toronto held Montreal 0-3 on power plays, but Price, last year’s Hart and Vezina Trophy-winning goalie, was the big difference in the game as he just didn’t allow the Maple Leafs to gain any momentum.
The game was the first for Mike Babcock behind the Toronto bench and the veteran coach had to be pleased with the effort, despite the loss, but a tip of the cap goes to Montreal for a solid game on both ends of the ice and starting the year 1-0.
