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With the game squared after three periods, the Leafs took part in their first 3-on-3 overtime since the NHL adopted the format change for this season.

Both teams came up short in the extra frame and Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman delivered the shootout winner.

Much of the Leafs’ transgressions came from being shorthanded.

Making his first start of the season, goaltender James Reimer was presented with an opportunity to perhaps supplant starter Jonathan Bernier who struggled through two starts this season.

“It was good, I think. But at the end of the day, not good enough unfortunately,” said Reimer of his performance. “Those three quick goals in the start of the second. I mean you never want to let in a couple in a row like that.”

Special teams aside, the Leafs limited their turnovers and came up with a point in the standings. Head coach Mike Babcock wants the Leafs to be able to play this new brand of hockey automatically. It’s at the point where the teaching aspect is over and it’s about reinforcement.

“You just got to believe every day when you come to the rink you’re winning. You can’t be hoping,” said Babcock. “You’ve got to know you’re going to win. You have good structure, you’re organized, you don’t cheat. you do things right. You play heavy. Pretty soon you start to win all the time just because you do things good.”

The belief is in the result. The Leafs will have several days to soak it in with their next game coming Friday in Columbus.

“We’ve had a couple of tough nights 5-on-5. Our lone goal was a power-play goal and we didn’t even shoot the puck in the net,” said Winnik. “It’s good to see we’re finally capitalizing on our chances 5-on-5.”

The ability to get back on the level and bust out for a four-goal game should help in accomplishing that. Now it’s up to them to make it last.