The first time Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine took the ice against one another last season, hockey fans were given a treat of a game. Laine finished off a hat trick in 3-on-3 overtime on a rush after Matthews just barely missed the game winner at the other end.
In our preview highlighting the storylines to watch on Opening Night, the Matthews vs. Laine rematch got top billing. And why wouldn’t it? The pair are incredible playmakers and goalscorers, so one was quite likely to have a solid game on the first night of the season. Matthews, after all, ushered in last season with a four-goal debut to steal the show.
Instead, the storylines turned to the Winnipeg Jets’ goaltending, an issue the team believed they had solved in the offseason with the addition of Steve Mason. Despite a strong start early, things deteriorated for the Jets in a 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mason allowed five goals on 20 shots for the Jets, including three in the final five minutes of the first, before being pulled in the third period.
Not all was on Mason, as the Jets defense did the 29-year-old netminder no favors on some plays. However, the showing was overall a bad one for Mason, who was looking to reestablish himself after ending last season with a .908 save percentage in Philadelphia.
For most of the evening, Mason was rusty and out of position in many key situations. The Maple Leafs’ third goal of the game was maybe the worst offender of the bunch.
It’s easy for the Jets, and Mason especially, to get frustrated or worried with the opening night start. Mason started last season poorly too, as he ended the first month of play with an .884 save percentage in Philadelphia. It’s a trend that, if mishandled, could spiral out of control quickly.
Which is why the Jets’ next game, and Mason’s next likely start, will be key. A poor showing in the season opener could be easily erased if Mason and the team show up big in Calgary.
It’s, of course, not the start the Jets wanted on the year, but it’s really too early to worry just yet about their goaltending. After all, Mason ended last season extremely well and has been able to bounce back fine from bad stretches before.
If it’s any consolation, Matthews was held to just three points on the evening — a goal and two assists — and left the multi-goal antics in the season opener to Patrick Marleau. The new addition to the Maple Leafs had a pair of goals in a very strong opener to his season.
Laine, on the other hand, had one assist after having most of his shots on goal blocked by the Maple Leafs defense.
The NHL’s opening game definitely wasn’t the high-intensity battle between two star players that we all thought it would be. Instead, we got a fan base even more excited about their season prospects, and one still doubting if their management made the correct offseason moves.