TORONTO - Montreal's inspired play in the first period failed to produce a decisive blow to their opponent's esteem, and it inevitably cost them the first available points in the standings.
The Toronto Maple Leafs fed off the 14-save lock-down goaltender James Reimer delivered in the first frame by finding the back of the net--shorthanded, no less--a mere 33-seconds into the second period; a gift for Montreal native, Matt Lombardi in his first game as a Leaf.
Lombardi was also playing his first game since missing the final 80 of last season with lingering concussion symptoms.
The quick strike after a discombobulated effort from the Leafs in the first period sent Montreal reeling through the middle portion of the game.
The Leafs seized momentum by stifling the Canadiens' powerplay, and Dion Phaneuf's completion of a perfect setup by Phil Kessel gave them all the insurance they would need for this 2-0 match.
It's been months since Canadiens' fans have felt the euphoria a goal provides (pre-season doesn't count), and it'll be at least a couple more days before they experience it again.
Instead, they're feeling the frustration of an opening-night loss and the familiar sting of knowing another member of their team is likely to be confined to the infirmary for a number of games.
Campoli limped to the dressing room
Chris Campoli left the game after an awkward fall in front of Carey Price.
He did not make it to the dressing room of his own volition and was seen leaving the building on crutches.
No official report from the Canadiens on the severity of Campoli's injury (though Damian Cox of the Toronto Star claims he'll be out three weeks with a hamstring issue), but his departure from the game left the Canadiens down a man, hampering their ability to mount a comeback.
Mathieu Darche assured reporters after the game that it wasn't for lack of effort that the Canadiens couldn't pierce the scoresheet.
"We were working hard, though I'm not too sure we were working smart," said Darche.
The lack of cohesion after such a coordinated first period was tough to explain for captain Brian Gionta.
"We were chasing the game but came up short. Unfortunately we didn't capitalize on a good first period. It just comes back to haunt you," said Gionta.
Mike Cammalleri offered the following assessment of the team's performance on the aspect of the game that could've swung things in his team's favour--the powerplay:
"Personally, I didn't get any great looks," said Cammalleri. "We didn't get any great looks. It might be an indication we were being too fancy but I'd need to look at it again."
Whatever it was, it wasn't successful, and on a night when the Leafs offered the Canadiens five opportunities to oil up that man-advantage, the team just couldn't convert.
Scouring twitter as the Canadiens' poweplay struggles wore on, I saw what seemed to be a lot of concern over the composition of the units.
"Not enough quickness in our execution. Just too much hesitation, too much holding onto the puck. You have to move the puck quickly and get to the net," Jacques Martin offered in assessment of the powerplay's shortcomings.
As for personnel decisions, he coyly informed that "it doesn't matter who we use. People have to do the job."
With that, the Canadiens move onto Winnipeg to help the Jets kick off a new era of hockey Sunday, hoping to handle the job they failed to complete in Toronto.
Of note:
The Canadiens will practice in Brossard before shipping out to Winnipeg.
Lars Eller received medical clearance to resume practice with full contact.
Blair Betts, who was acquired through waivers from Philadelphia, came over with a lower-body injury that will require day-to-day evaluation. He's not expected to be out long.
Yannick Weber played as a forward on the fourth line before replacing the injured Campoli on defence.
Alexei Yemelin was a healthy scratch but could draw into the lineup soon with Andrei Markov and Campoli sidelined, and Jeff Woywitka being claimed by the New York Rangers early Thursday.
