Montreal Canadiens jump out to 3-0 lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ryan Reaves comes knocking

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in town, and with the rivalry renewed, there are plenty of mini in-match storylines that stand out ahead of puck drop.

With the Leafs trailing the Canadiens 3-0, Ryan Reaves was put out in the last minute of the first period for some specific reason. Arber Xhekaj was defending his net, and trying to preserve the three-goal lead heading into the first intermission. Reaves wanted to inject some life into the Leafs' bench, and Xhekaj knew that his being off the ice for five minutes would do more damage to the Habs, than Reaves with the Leafs.

Though Xhekaj has proven in the past he can handle Reaves, there is no reason for him to accept the fight from his standpoint. Montreal is rolling, and they don't need to give the Leafs any potential signs of life, precisely what a fight would do. I do think that if Reaves wants the fight, he will do something boneheaded to a Habs player to get it.

This leads me to the second period, and I think that the two combatants will meet each other and drop the gloves. Xhekaj handled himself during his last fight against Reaves, and I think he will do the same again if/when they square off again. But I don't think that Xhekaj needs to accept the fight, the Canadiens don't need a boost, and Xhekaj is playing some of the best hockey of his career.

Reaves wanted all the smoke, as the kids say nowadays, but Xhekaj displayed great maturity and restraint. Everything is academic, and the Habs aren't giving the Leafs any space to climb back into the game. When the playoffs roll around, this could be a potential matchup, and Xhekaj's confidence will undoubtedly transfer to the next matchup and beyond.

With a stranglehold lead, Xhekaj can hurt the Leafs further on the scoreboard, with some stout defensive play and making smart offensive plays. Xhekaj, one time would have accepted the challenge, and then let the adrenaline get the best of him. But he has grown and learned to pick and choose his battles better, which allowed him to carve out a permanent role on the Habs blueline.

Josh Anderson makes the Leafs look silly

With the Canadiens up 2-0, Josh Anderson collected a faceoff win by Jake Evans and made a sprint for the Leafs net. If you have watched Anderson for long enough, these opportunities are rather routine for no. 17, but the finish is lacking. But not tonight, Josh Anderson made a beautiful solo effort to put the Canadiens up 3-0, feeling confident about their first period.

Anderson has the speed, simple puck skills and creativity to do different things on the ice. Simplicity is the best approach for Anderson, but I can't argue with his decision to rush the puck through the neutral zone by himself. The finish on the backhand looked like a Kirby Dach power move, which is quite the jump in skill and offensive talent.

It was a beauty, and the Leafs not having an answer for the Canadiens, is proof of how well the Canadiens are playing. That Max Domi for Anderson trade has aged well for the Habs. Anderson victimizing Domi like that is too good.