Both teams got powerplay chances soon after, with checking forward Jordan Weal getting a slashing penalty on a Leafs 2-1. Leafs prospect Nick Robertson, playing in his first NHL game, was dealt a holding penalty, though both resulted in little. The two teams contrasting styles were apparent throughout most of the first, with the Canadiens defense first approach counteracting the Leafs flurry of shots.
A late Jeff Petry hooking call, which went unanswered, led into the second, followed by some nice chemistry from the Leafs first defensive pairing of Jake Muzzin and Rielly. 28-year-old forward Alex Belzile, who has been quite the story going from an AHL deal with Laval to a legitimate piece of the Canadiens system, took a hard shot from Muzzin after a backhand shot on net but managed to stay in the game.
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A Brendan Gallagher high stick early on was killed off, and a Cody Ceci penalty four minutes later showcased the Habs struggling powerplay. Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen broke into the offensive zone, making a nice move inside before laying a shot on Price that Kerfoot finished off on the rebound.
Not long after, the Habs got their best chance of the game, as a cross-ice pass from Jeff Petry was deflected just wide by Dale Weise. A late hooking penalty to Mikheyev led to the Habs third chance on the powerplay, where forward Max Domi manned the point alongside Shea Weber. Just after the penalty expired, center Nick Suzuki took an inside pass from Brendan Gallagher, moved towards the net, and faked a shot before feeding a nice pass over to Tatar for a tap in goal.
With just 25 seconds left in the period, and the Leafs lead down to one, Kerfoot took advantage of some nice passing along the blueline by Robertson and Rielly, who threw a shot on net, which Kerfoot tipped in to bring Toronto’s lead back to two goals. After posting a career-high 72 points in 2018-19, Rielly struggled in parts this season with the Leafs, with his trademark up ice rushes leading to frequent turnovers.