Ugly win over Canadiens shows that Leafs are far from a finished product

Mike Babcock should have the Toronto Maple Leafs’ full attention when they return to practice Friday.

Pegged as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender after a hype-filled summer and exhibition schedule, Toronto defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime to open the NHL regular season. But the Leafs were far from convincing Wednesday against a team with a fraction of the expectations or star power. They were unsure at times of their positioning, slow to move the puck, and sloppy or tentative when it did make it on their sticks. Montreal’s largely no-name roster hemmed the hosts in their own zone for long stretches, and if not for Toronto goalie Frederick Andersen’s stellar performance — 15 of his 34 saves came in a third period where the ice was tilted heavily in the Canadiens’ favour — the Leafs could very well have left Scotiabank Arena empty handed.

Sure, there were also moments of brilliance at the other end. Toronto star Auston Matthews scored on two electric shots, including the winner, John Tavares buried his first goal in blue and white after signing a big-money deal with Toronto in free agency, and Montreal goalie Carey Price was forced to make a few jawdropping stops.

While happy with the win, it’s clear the Leafs have plenty of work to do.

“(The media) can write all you want and tell everyone how great we are, but it’s the National Hockey League and you’ve got to come to work every day,” Babcock said following the victory. “If you don’t work harder than the other team, if you don’t put your work before your talent, you don’t win. If you turn the puck over, you don’t win.

“There’s probably lots of good messages.”