In terms of the process on display, the Maple Leafs looked as good as could be reasonably expected in game one of the Mike Babcock era. For the most part, the team was structured, competed hard and owned enough of the puck, but they couldn’t find the offensive breakthrough against the best goalie in the world.
While it will likely bear out that the Leafs didn’t greatly outchance the Canadiens in this contest, they turned their possession advantage into enough meaningful offensive opportunities to take a 3- or 4-2 decision. Carey Price was Carey Price, but the Leafs didn’t bear down on their chances (Boyes breakaway, Holland breakaway, Spaling miss from a few feet out with half the net open in front, among others).