Toronto Maple Leafs 0 Columbus Blue Jackets 2
The Blue Jackets accomplished what they set out to do Sunday night at Scotiabank arena.
In the first game back for both squads after the four month lay off Columbus looked good.
Holding the talented Maple Leafs squad scoreless and preventing Toronto any chances to show their offensive prowess.
Columbus executed head coach John Tortorella’s plan to perfection.
Putting pressure on Toronto’s skaters all night long.
The Blue Jackets only took one penalty in the game, and were able to not give up any odd man rushes.
“Thats the way we have to play, a greasy in your face defensive-style,” said Jackets forward Cam Atkinson.
Tortorella also made the correct decision to start Joonas Korpisalo in net.
Korpisalo saved all 28 of the shots he faced in the contest.
The Jackets have put an emphasis on keeping Toronto off the power play and on Sunday night it worked.
Toronto can be very dangerous on the man advantage so Columbus will look to limit that in the series.
The Leafs have been focused on improving defensively during the pre restart training camp and it certainly paid off.
Toronto held the Jackets scoreless till the third when Cam Atkinson broke the scoreless draw with a wrist shot that squeezed through Andersen.
The Leafs net minder was sensational in the game saving 33 of 34 shots he faced.
Columbus would add an empty net goal in the dying seconds as Toronto looked to tie it up.
While Toronto’s defence looked notably better, Toronto certainly sacrificed their offensive in order to do so.
Offence is where the Leafs shine and on Sunday it was no where to be found.
In a hard fought game, Toronto could not manufacture any goals. But there were lots of positives to take away heading into game two on Tuesday.
Toronto will look to right the ship on Tuesday when the two teams clash once again.
Puck drop is 4pm EST.
