Here are six takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ Game 1 rout:

• Mitch Marner delivered a terrific performance to set the tone for the most important post-season of his career. Marner was sprung for a breakaway off a touchdown pass from Auston Matthews, beating Linus Ullmark for a 2-0 lead. He was excellent on the penalty kill, and didn’t back down from a Senators team that were throwing constant cheap shots — particularly at Matthews and John Tavares — throughout the evening. There are 15 wins to go for the Maple Leafs team, but Marner’s three-point night was an excellent response, and he was cool, calm and composed during his post-game media availability. “To start off with a win is great. Now, we have to look forward to the next one, and that will be even harder to win. But we’ll try to figure out how to be even better on Tuesday.”
• Matthews was terrific as well, and worked a strong two-man game with Matthew Knies throughout the evening. Toronto’s captain established the low cycle early, he shook off contact with ease and finished the game with two primary assists, six shots, two takeaways, no giveaways, and four hits in just under 19 minutes. Matthews is all the way back, and drove his line throughout the night, although Knies was more than happy to play bully ball, while throwing his body into shots. Knies blocked a cannon from Thomas Chabot in the third period and limped to the bench, but on his next shift, he scored on the power play by using his massive frame to box out the defence and score from the highest-danger area. This was a terrific performance from Toronto’s first line, and ought that to set the tone for the series.
• Toronto’s power play connected at a 30.8 percent clip since February 1 and absolutely took advantage of Ottawa’s undisciplined approach throughout the game. Tavares scored when he deflected a Nylander shot on goal, cleaned up his own rebound and tucked it home, nine seconds in the power play. Nylander scored his own power play goal on what appeared to be out an out of timeout call from Craig Berube, who gave his top unit a brief rest prior to a 5-on-3 sequence in the second period. Knies, who is Berube’s ideal power forward, posted up in front of the net to bully the Senators throughout the game, and was rewarded with a late goal in the third period. The resets at the top were clearly evident throughout the night, as the Maple Leafs attacked with intentionality. Considering that the Leafs scored on one of their 21 power play chances in last year’s first-round loss to the Boston Bruins, this was a welcome development and the fluidity of the passing, along with their direct approach indicates that this summer could be a lot different.
• Berube thoroughly out-coached his Senators counterpart Travis Green throughout the game. The timeout was expertly timed, as a flummoxed Senators side continued to take several cheap shots, and were routinely punished. Berube also demoted Max Domi to the third line, ostensibly due to his turnovers, while bumping up the defensively responsible Pontus Holmberg onto the second line. Domi, for what it’s worth, stuck up for his teammates, threw his body around and was fully engaged in the antagonistic elements of the battle. After the game, Berube seemed pleased with his team’s efforts, while Green was on the defensive, complaining about the whistle, stating the Leafs did a good job of selling penalties. This isn’t meant to be a parting shot at his predecessor, but Berube clearly outfoxed Green, an element the Leafs have rarely received in the past.
• Anthony Stolarz clearly outperformed Linus Ullmark, and in many respects, it was one of the key reasons why the Maple Leafs won in a rout. It may be academic now, but Stolarz made two pivotal stops at the start of the second period, robbing Brady Tkachuk on a breakaway, the result of a turnover from Morgan Rielly, and another lateral save on Shane Pinto moments later. Stolarz struggled with his rebound control, but the Maple Leafs’ defencemen, led by Ekman-Larsson, swatted away pucks from the net-front. Ullmark received Bronx cheers throughout the game, and if you were to guess who won the Vezina Trophy two seasons ago, you would’ve thought it was Stolarz. Stolarz saved 1.47 goals above expected, while Ullmark stopped -2.6 goals above expected, in all situations If Stolarz continues to outperform Ullmark by this margin, this series could be over before we know it.
• The ‘same old Leafs’ narrative can die pretty quickly, especially because they aren’t the same old Leafs! Ekman-Larsson’s championship pedigree was on full display and he was Toronto’s best defenceman in Game 1. Stolarz won his first playoff start and perhaps learned a ton from watching Sergei Bobrovsky last year. Deadline acquisition Scott Laughton was terrific in a bottom-six role, while setting up Ekman-Larsson’s opening goal. Chris Tanev played with real physicality, winning puck battles consistently. And the Core Four played like the superstars that they are. We’ll see if all of these developments carry into Game 2, but these aren’t the Same Old Leafs.

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