Leafs Nation was worried about goaltending. Based on last night’s performance, they should be.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens wasn’t the start they were looking for. Unfortunately for Toronto, their worst nightmare came to life. Montreal’s Jake Allen kept the Canadiens in the game, and Matt Murray couldn’t stop high for the Leafs.

Matt Murray’s Glove Is A Problem

Le 🐴 a dit YEE HAW

The boys weren't joshing around tonight 😤#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/vUCmmmfxza

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 13, 2022

I’m not going to overreact to the first game of the season. However, the sample size I saw last night is enough to worry me for the Leafs. Three of the four goals Matt Murray conceded Wednesday night went up and over. One of those goals even beat him on the short side. The book is out; shoot high. You may want to tell yourself this isn’t a problem, but it is. Barring a disaster, the Leafs will be in the playoffs this year. However, I’m nervous about another disappointing first round if Murray doesn’t learn how to stop a high shot.

William Nylander Scoring Was The Least Surprising Outcome

WILLY WITH THE RESPONSE!! pic.twitter.com/19mygmrvH3

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 13, 2022

I wrote a piece on Tuesday saying Nylander had the best preseason for the Leafs. So, Nylander scoring Wednesday night wasn’t a surprise at all. The Leafs did a great job forcing a turnover in their zone, and then John Taveres fed a perfect puck to Nylander, who buried the goal. Toronto’s second line is expected to produce as much as the first line, and I have a lot of faith in William Nylander this season.

Mitch Marner Is So Strong On The Puck

Opening night magic for ya 🪄 pic.twitter.com/fjJSfLOj2p

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 12, 2022

Auston Matthews gets most of the attention, but I love watching Mitch Marner play hockey. First, he never stops moving, and he’s so strong on the puck. His movement and puck control led to Michael Bunting opening up the scoring for the Leafs. I discussed Marner’s foot and stuck work with Griff Tuesday night, and I stand by everything we said. Marner is a hockey players hockey player.

The Leafs have the chance to bounce back Thursday when they take on the Washington Capitals. Ilya Samsonov is scheduled to be between the pipes, and we’ll see how he fares against his former team.