Montreal Canadiens forward Scott Gomez celebrates his goal behind Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek (L) during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto December 26, 2009. REUTERS/ Mike CasseseMIKE CASSESE/Reuters
Game 1 is always a new beginning - especially for teams like the Leafs coming off terrible seasons. The Canadian Press' Chris Johnston informs me, however, that Toronto hasn't won its home opener since 2000, which was a 2-0 win against the Canadiens.
Habs goalie Carey Price is battling the flu but will start tonight. Andrei Markov, Roman Hamrlik (knee injuries) and Mike Cammalleri (suspension) are all out. Toronto's Brett Lebda and Jeff Finger are injured.
Ron Wilson's lineup will look like so against Montreal tonight, with five players (in bold) making their debut as Leafs:
Forwards Versteeg - Bozak - Kessel Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur Sjostrom - Brent - Armstrong Orr - Zigomanis - Brown
Defence Phaneuf - Beauchemin Kaberle - Schenn Komisarek - Gunnarsson
Goal Giguere (starter) Gustavsson
Compare that with the lineup that started last season against Montreal in a 4-3 overtime loss:
Forwards Stalberg - Stajan - Blake Ponikarovsky - Grabovski - Hagman Wallin - Mitchell - Stempniak Rosehill - Primeau - Orr
Defence Kaberle - Komisarek Beauchemin - Schenn Exelby - White
Goal Toskala (starter) Gustavsson
Seven players are carry overs from that group that eventually finished 29th, with only two of them forwards: Grabovski, Orr, Kaberle, Komisarek, Beauchemin, Schenn and Gustavsson.
Even the anti-Leafs brigade has to admit this year's lineup looks better, in terms of who's in goal and the top line talent up front.
Here's some audio from the dressing rooms today.
Habs rookie defenceman PK Subban was pretty entertaining, talking about how he wanted 13 tickets for family and friends given he's from Toronto. Great interview, even in the circus-like atmosphere surrounding the first game of the season.
Leafs defenceman Mike Komisarek, meanwhlie, reflected on his season-ending surgery last year and how that's changed his approach to this season.
And Leafs first-line centre Tyler Bozak spoke to the pressure on the No. 1 unit to produce.
Check back here after the game for more audio and a few thoughts.