The entire world was waiting to see the big derby and the first game of the 2019/2020 NHL season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators. The hosts won with 5-3, kicking off the start of the new chapter in the history of the best hockey league in the world.
The long-expected start brought one very good game in which the Maple Leafs showcased their strength and fury during the second period. They scored 4 times, completely outplaying the guests from Ottawa. It was Auston Matthews who was the key figure in this match, netting twice and making a difference on the ice. The youngster who recently had troubles with the law, focused solely on hockey last night, and the results were visible.
In the moments when the game was tied at 2-2, Mathews scored two goals until the end of the second sequence, boosting the morale of his team, and creating a momentum that will drive the hosts until the very end. This was a fourth straight opener in which he scored.
“I really try to score every game, so I don’t know what to say (about the record),” Matthews said. “[Nylander] made an unbelievable pass on the first goal, and then [Marner] with eyes in the back of his head on the power play, it was an amazing pass and I just tried to get it off as quick as possible.”
Both teams netted in the final period once, Ilya Mikheyev for the hosts and Bobby Ryan for the Senators. It was Mikheyev’s NHL debut, and he posted another point by making assists.
There was one more debut, but not in an ordinary way. John Tavares played his first game as the captain of the Maple Leafs. The fans had a chance to see a ceremony in which Toronto introduced the 29-year old as the 25th captain in the history of the franchise. That spot was empty for more than three and a half years, and its future was a constant topic in various stories around the NHL.
“We know about the history, the tradition and what it would mean to the city and the fan base,” Tavares said. “It’s not something you can ever take for granted, but at the same time, I don’t think you want to change who you are.”
Matthews will be his replacement, despite all the controversies he has been going through in the recent times. The No.3 will be Mitch Marner.
Senators led after the first 20 minutes, with a goal score by Brady Tkachuk. Frederik Gauthier and Trevor Moore changed the result upside down, before Scott Sabourin leveled it. Afterward, it was Matthews with his show who brought the edge to the hosts.
“We had a competitive first period, we did a lot of good things, we were physical and had attention to detail,” Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki said.
The team from Ottawa now heads back home to face the New York Rangers this Saturday at 7 pm ET. On the other side, the Maple Leafs are traveling to Columbus to play against the Blue Jackets this Friday also at 7 pm ET.
