Toronto slumped to a defeat in their first meaningless game of the season, handily outchanced and beaten by an eliminated Florida team.
Florida took the lead through Pirri, and dominated the first period, outchancing Toronto 7-4. Things didn't improve in the second, with Toronto getting crushed in chances again. They were really fortunate to get level midway through the period, through Bozak, and while they were unlucky to give up a goal in the last three seconds, it's hard to argue that Florida didn't at least deserve to keep the period even.
As usual, the Leafs struggled in the third, Bjugstad scoring twice to put the game away. Toronto at least managed a decent chase, getting the last six chances, including one of their best stretches with an empty net in quite a while.
Florida handily took the chances, though the third period saw Toronto win the overall, between a powerplay and the empty net chances. The Panthers also won the ES close chances, 16-10.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Florida |
Toronto |
Florida |
| 1 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
| 2 |
6 |
14 |
6 |
9 |
| 3 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
| Total |
20 |
27 |
14 |
21 |
Details below.
The Leafs had a poor opening period, but managed to survive it, and then rallied in the remaining two periods to pull away for the victory.making it 2-for-2 against their new divisional opponents.
Florida scored inside the first three minutes, and when they made it two with 6 minutes left, it looked like trouble for the Leafs, who lost the first in chances 5-1. They managed to get one back from the point, and then got two quick goals in the second, as they seized control, outchancing Florida 7-4 at ES.
The Leafs then extended the lead through Kulemin early in the third, and while Florida won the chances after Lupul extended the lead 6 minutes in, Bernier only allowed one more goal, allowing Toronto a fairly comfortable victory.
Florida won the ES chances narrowly, 14-12, and 9-7 ES close, but most of that advantage came in the first, as the Leafs clearly won the final two frames.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Florida |
Toronto |
Florida |
| 1 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
5 |
| 2 |
9 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
| 3 |
7 |
8 |
4 |
5 |
| Total |
17 |
18 |
12 |
14 |
Details below.
In terms of chances, the game with Florida looks relatively even; but an early Panther lead meant they were able to sit back in the third, with Toronto not able to put up enough consistent pressure to generate more than a single goal.
Another poor start left the Leafs chasing, down by one after less than five minutes, and giving up four of the first five chances. They got level in the first by the end of the frame, but couldn't score. Another poor start in the second left them further behind, first due to a Panther powerplay, then a good shift from the Bergenheim line leading to a goal just short of the six minute mark.
Toronto managed to win the third period in chances, but with the Panthers sitting back to defend a lead, that's hardly surprising. A goal from Raymond early in the period left the Leafs with some hope of chasing down the victory, but they weren't able to score again, despite generating seven of the last eight chances.
Florida's lead through two periods was chased down by Toronto in the third, but, as mentioned, the Leafs' five third period ES chances only resulted in one goal.
A summary of the scoring chances:
| Status |
Overall |
ES |
| Team |
Toronto |
Florida |
Toronto |
Florida |
| 1 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| 2 |
4 |
10 |
4 |
7 |
| 3 |
8 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
| Total |
16 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
Details below.
