Run & Gun Or Crash & Bang?

Tomorrow nights Battle of Ontario may turn into the Borer in Ontario.

Both the Sens and Leafs are coming off of losses in which playing a run and gun system led to embarrassing final scores.

The Leafs, who made a concerted effort to improve their defensive game over last seasons 2nd worst goals against standing, have looked even worse.

But oddly enough (when looking at the roster), their goal scoring has been good…how they do this, year after year, never ceases to amaze me.

Meanwhile, the Sens, who made a concerted effort o improve their offense, once again found themselves explaining a loss with the terms “chances”, “bear down”, and “great goaltending”.

Will both of these teams try to play a tighter game?

Undoubtedly the Leafs will, as this is supposed to be their new system, but the Sens are unlikely to win many games trying to play shut down hockey (as last season exemplified).  Instead the Sens will try to play with less flash, and more bash.

I expect to watch a game of limited chances on the part of the Leafs, and plenty of dirty offensive zone play in front of the Leafs net.

If Leclair plays a solid game, I expect to see the Sens post a big win tomorrow night, but should the Leafs continue their ability to fill the net with ease, the Sens may well crumble in the face of the pressure to score more than 3 goals.

My prediction?

Sens score early, and often, leading to a melt down on the part of the Leafs who will be finding themselves harangued by the frustrated home crowd.

7-3, Sens.

GN