Article content continued

“The ice was one. A lot of guys abandoned things and said let’s get the puck up the wall. It was a little bit of an ugly but it would be two points if it was next Wednesday so we’ll look at that.”

Photo by Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Senators dressed a lineup that was really only minus the four regulars − including forwards Mark Stone, Clarke MacArthur, Zack Smith and Curtis Lazar − who can’t suit up at the moment and it took until the third period until Ottawa finally showed the push it

Puempel tied it up on a perfect feed from Brassard with 5:35 left in the game and only the second shot the Senators had on Antoine Bibeau when he took over in the third.

“(Anderson) played really well. He anticipates the puck so well and he’s really tough to beat,” said centre Kyle Turris.

Kapanen scored with 11:50 left in the second by firing a blast by Anderson on the glove side with the Leafs pouring it on to give the Leafs a 2-1 lead they weren’t able to hold. Bibeau took over in the third period and he didn’t face his first shot until past the 10-minute mark.

Froese tied it up 1-1 at 2:26 of the third from the doorstep of the crease and Anderson had no chance. Coach Guy Boucher said he had tired players in the lineup and that didn’t help.

Photo by Liam Richards / THE CANADIAN PRESS

“The first 10 minutes of the third they came out really strong and our pushback wasn’t very good at that point,” said Boucher. “We had a lot guys that played last night you could feel it. I certainly could.”

‎The Leafs also had a lineup that included top young prospects Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. They used their speed and, at times, the Senators had a difficult time slowing them down which isn’t exactly a good sign when the two teams have to meet up less than a week from now.