Former Capital Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves and Auston Matthews notched the game winner as the Leafs won their home opener, 3-2, against the Washington Capitals.
6:55 into the third period, Matthews tipped in a Mark Giordano point shot to give Toronto the lead, one it wouldn’t relinquish. John Tavares’ first of the season on the power play 6:40 into the first period kicked off the scoring. The Capitals then responded with two stinkers to grab a 2-1 lead after one. In the second, Calle Jarnkrok potted his first with the Maple Leafs following a fantastic backdoor feed from Alex Kerfoot. Charlie Lindgren was exceptional for the road side in the loss, the former Hab made 36 saves.
Dating back to last season, the Leafs have now won four straight games against the Capitals. Toronto improved to 1-1-0 on the early season, Washington fell to 0-2-0.
Muzzy’s Muzings:
Can you smell what Auston Matthews is cooking?
First thing’s first, how cool was it to see The Rock at the game? The 90’s wrestling fan in me went nuts, even though he got the chant wrong.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I just heard <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRock</a> say “Let’s Go Leafs” folks that means it’s the Cup year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackAdam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackAdam</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmDyDkcyeJ">pic.twitter.com/cmDyDkcyeJ</a>
&mdash; John Sharkman (@JohnSharkman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1580713026462056449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRock</a> is in the building for Caps-Maple Leafs 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/2VKHhU0nP1">pic.twitter.com/2VKHhU0nP1</a>
&mdash; ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1580723296210804736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
At any rate, following a quiet opener, Auston Matthews was much more noticeable on Thursday night, especially in the third period. After delivering a big bodycheck late in the third, the fans belted out the first “M-V-P” chant of the season. By the way, hope you tailed on the Auston Matthews Anytime Goal play. This guy’s ridiculous.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Auston Matthews has now scored 102 goals in his past 127 regular season outings.
Furthermore, he&#39;s scored 24 goals in his last 21 games on home ice. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeafsForever</a>
&mdash; Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) <a href="https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1580738615088668672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Samsonov Revenge Victory
Full credit to the 25-year-old for weathering the storm following a shaky first period where it felt like he was one goal against away from his night ending prematurely. Samsonov settled in and was solid down the stretch in solidifying his first win as a Leaf. I wonder how <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n3DR7Weojpw">much money on the board</a> he had.
Depth Scoring Matters
Good to see Calle Jarnkrok tally his first in the blue and white. Moving forward, depth scoring will be vital for this Leafs team. From time to time, you need your bottom six to chip in, so this was a welcome sight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Järny showin&#39; off the wheels 💨 <a href="https://t.co/H287leZzLL">pic.twitter.com/H287leZzLL</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1580723576608817152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The good: Järnkrok scores
The bad: To the sounds of Hall &amp; Oates
&mdash; The Leafs Nation (@TLNdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1580722695700107266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
Go Rodion Go!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Rodion Amirov, the <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MapleLeafs</a>&#39; 2020 first-round pick who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February was just introduced at Scotiabank Arena before their home opener. 💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HockeyFightsCancer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HockeyFightsCancer</a> 
Amirov has been with the team since finishing his fourth round of chemotherapy. <a href="https://t.co/kbMTBmnWjb">pic.twitter.com/kbMTBmnWjb</a>
&mdash; NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1580707155434688512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I thought it was a fantastic touch for the Leafs to have Rodion Amirov around the team and in attendance. The kid’s been through a lot the past few months, what an absolute battler! Keeping him in my thoughts and prayers moving forward.
Highlight of the night: 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Let&#39;s take a MOment to appreciate this pass! 🍎 <a href="https://t.co/nK1PqIedQU">pic.twitter.com/nK1PqIedQU</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1580709483713544192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
When they’re snapping it around like they can, that Leafs power play is something else. Stand witness.
What’s next?:
Toronto is back in action on Saturday night when they host the first instalment of the Battle of Ontario this season against the new look Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray, who made 19 saves in the season opening 4-3 loss on Wednesday night in Montreal, is expected to get the call against his former mates. Ottawa fell 4-1 to Buffalo in its season opener on Thursday night. The Leafs went 3-1-0 against the Senators in 2021-22.
&nbsp;
PSA: Don’t forget to check out ‘Leafs Morning Take’ with yours truly and Jay Rosehill every Monday to Friday morning at 11 a.m. EDT on The Nation Network YouTube page.

Former Capital Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves and Auston Matthews notched the game winner as the Leafs won their home opener, 3-2, against the Washington Capitals.

6:55 into the third period, Matthews tipped in a Mark Giordano point shot to give Toronto the lead, one it wouldn’t relinquish. John Tavares’ first of the season on the power play 6:40 into the first period kicked off the scoring. The Capitals then responded with two stinkers to grab a 2-1 lead after one. In the second, Calle Jarnkrok potted his first with the Maple Leafs following a fantastic backdoor feed from Alex Kerfoot. Charlie Lindgren was exceptional for the road side in the loss, the former Hab made 36 saves.

Dating back to last season, the Leafs have now won four straight games against the Capitals. Toronto improved to 1-1-0 on the early season, Washington fell to 0-2-0.

Muzzy’s Muzings:

Can you smell what Auston Matthews is cooking?

First thing’s first, how cool was it to see The Rock at the game? The 90’s wrestling fan in me went nuts, even though he got the chant wrong.

https://twitter.com/JohnSharkman/status/1580713026462056449

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1580723296210804736

&nbsp;

At any rate, following a quiet opener, Auston Matthews was much more noticeable on Thursday night, especially in the third period. After delivering a big bodycheck late in the third, the fans belted out the first “M-V-P” chant of the season. By the way, hope you tailed on the Auston Matthews Anytime Goal play. This guy’s ridiculous.

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1580738615088668672

Samsonov Revenge Victory

Full credit to the 25-year-old for weathering the storm following a shaky first period where it felt like he was one goal against away from his night ending prematurely. Samsonov settled in and was solid down the stretch in solidifying his first win as a Leaf. I wonder how <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n3DR7Weojpw">much money on the board</a> he had.

Depth Scoring Matters

Good to see Calle Jarnkrok tally his first in the blue and white. Moving forward, depth scoring will be vital for this Leafs team. From time to time, you need your bottom six to chip in, so this was a welcome sight.

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1580723576608817152

https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1580722695700107266

&nbsp;

Go Rodion Go!

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1580707155434688512?s=20&amp;t=D4D_pNU9XaMfwRlg1F6N8g

I thought it was a fantastic touch for the Leafs to have Rodion Amirov around the team and in attendance. The kid’s been through a lot the past few months, what an absolute battler! Keeping him in my thoughts and prayers moving forward.

Highlight of the night: 

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1580709483713544192

&nbsp;

When they’re snapping it around like they can, that Leafs power play is something else. Stand witness.

What’s next?:

Toronto is back in action on Saturday night when they host the first instalment of the Battle of Ontario this season against the new look Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray, who made 19 saves in the season opening 4-3 loss on Wednesday night in Montreal, is expected to get the call against his former mates. Ottawa fell 4-1 to Buffalo in its season opener on Thursday night. The Leafs went 3-1-0 against the Senators in 2021-22.

&nbsp;

PSA: Don’t forget to check out ‘Leafs Morning Take’ with yours truly and Jay Rosehill every Monday to Friday morning at 11 a.m. EDT on The Nation Network YouTube page.

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