"- If there is one encouraging part of the first two preseason games that might have some semblance of big-picture meaning, it's that the Leafs have only played their third, fourth, and fifth stringers in net so far and have received all-around solid goaltending. Their third stringer, Dennis Hildeby, was excellent in turning aside all 23 shots in the first two periods of the game, as he was calm, square to shooters, and covered the net post-to-post really well with his massive wing and leg spans."
"After a nice showing in Ottawa, Artur Akhtyamov was this time in the more difficult position of entering a game cold for the third period, and the Leafs didn't make his life too easy by allowing 18 shots down the stretch. He didn't have much of a chance on the Senators' goals, and he actually prevented the Leafs from giving up an embarrassing two shorthanded goals on the same power play with a good save."
Maple Leafs built a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes but never added to it and lost 3-2 in overtime to the Senators. Special teams unraveled as a shorthanded goal cancelled a Leafs power-play goal and an Ottawa power-play score tied the game late in the third. The overtime winner came on a 3-on-3 breakaway when Shane Pinto beat Auston Matthews down the ice. Dennis Hildeby stopped all 23 shots through two periods with strong positioning. Artur Akhtyamov entered cold, faced 18 third-period shots, made key saves but conceded the late goals. Easton Cowan recorded a power-play assist and four shots in limited minutes. The goaltending pipeline showed encouraging depth.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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