Maple Leafs 5 - 4 Canadiens
Final - OT
  for this game

Leafs try to rebound in Montreal

Oct 22, 2011 - 3:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to bounce back from their first regulation loss of the season this evening as they battle the rival Montreal Canadiens for the second time this year and first at the Bell Centre.

The Leafs notched a 4-0-1 mark over their initial five games, but were humbled in their first road contest of the season on Thursday in Boston. Playing for the first time on back-to-back nights this year, Toronto was bested by a 6-2 margin.

David Steckel and Mikhail Grabovski scored the goals for the Maple Leafs, who were outshot 43-28 and lost the opener of a four-game swing after beginning the season with five contests in a row at home. Jonas Gustavsson made 37 saves in the loss, while Phil Kessel was held without a point for the first time in his last 16 regular-season games.

"We didn't give Jonas much protection in front," Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said. "We just didn't have our legs, it's plain and simple."

James Reimer had gotten the first five starts in net, posting a 2.55 goals- against average.

"I felt pretty good. We knew they were going to come out hard, so I was prepared for a lot of shots," said Gustavsson. "I guess they got a couple rebounds there to get a two-goal lead, but that's the way it is sometimes."

Reimer stopped all 32 shots faced in Toronto's season-opening 2-0 win over Montreal at home. The victory was the Maple Leafs' sixth in their last nine against the Habs, who are coming off a 3-1 setback to the Penguins on Thursday.

Brian Gionta notched the lone goal for the Canadiens, who have lost four straight (0-3-1) for the first time since a five-game slide two seasons ago from Dec. 10-17, 2009.

Carey Price gave up three goals on 32 shots to remain stuck on 99 career wins with Montreal. He let in both goals in the loss to Toronto on Oct. 6.

"We gotta get on the same page," said Price. "We have a day to correct ourselves and then we have to get back in the saddle."

Montreal forward Scott Gomez left Thursday's loss in the first period with an upper-body injury and did not return. He did not practice on Friday and head coach Jacques Martin said he is doubtful for this contest.

The Canadiens will play their next three at home, where they are 0-2-1 this season.






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