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The Toronto Maple Leafs effort in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Ottawa/Belleville Senators at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday is the reason why NHL teams have a number of exhibition games to ramp up towards the regular season when games count. The Leafs were essentially outworked and comatose for the first 40 minutes against a mostly American Hockey League roster, but turned in on in the third, outshooting the Sens 24-5 and tying the game late on a William Nylander goal before Carter Yakemchuk’s impressive game-winner at 2:37 of overtime.
Instead of a thorough autopsy of a game that in the grand scheme of things means nothing, here are some thoughts on some individual performances that may be an indicator of things to come.
The Impressive
Max Pacioretty - As many have indicated, the veteran winger’s PTO is more for preseason cap management than anything else, but if there was any doubt of Pacioretty getting a contract, it is gone now. You can’t draw conclusions based on one game and the quality of the competition, but the 35-year-old looks like he could be useful in a depth role and seemed to have some chemistry with John Tavares.
Chris Tanev - The long-awaited combo of the veteran defender and Morgan Rielly paid immediate dividends, as Tanev had a pair of assists and Rielly went +3 and added a helper on Pacioretty’s first goal. Don’t expect that kind of offensive output from Tanev, but his steady defensive play may allow more production from Rielly.
John Tavares - Even if the former captain plays a slightly reduced role as a third-line center, Tavares playmaking ability (three assists on Sunday) will likely to remain a fixture on the Leafs top power play and five-on-five.
Nikita Grebenkin - The 21-year-old winger needs time to adjust to North America in the AHL after an excellent KHL campaign, but Grebenkin showed a bit of fire and flare with his bout with Adam Gaudette
Joseph Woll - The Leafs starter was spectacular in the opening period, stopping all but one of Ottawa’s 15 shots, but the two goals in the middle frame were hopefully just a product of early-season rust.
William Nylander - The average grade has less to do with his two-point performance and tying goal late in regulation, and more to do with his first game at center. Hopefully, Craig Berube gives Nylander a long look and some rope during the preseason, unlike his predecessor who ended the experiment after two games. Nylander moved to the wing in the third when the Leafs shortened their bench and were going for the tying goal.
The Depressive
Max Domi - Domi playing left wing is likely because of the Leafs weakness on the port side. He was most effective playing the right with Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi late last season. Could just be a preseason experiment.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Not a strong debut for OEL, going -2 on the night. With the Leafs full lineup, the veteran likely fits in as a bottom-pairing defender (like he was in Florida most of last season) with Timothy Liljegren and as a second PP quarterback.
Ryan Reaves - A fight with Donovan Sebrango was his highlight, but Reaves being on the ice for another fourth-line goal against is what hopefully convinces Berube that the safest place for him to be is the press box or Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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