By Stephen Johns

One game, one blown third period lead. And while Leaf fans can take a lot of positives from tonight’s season-opening, 4-3 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens, it’s a game Toronto really should’ve won. The Leafs were all over Carey Price’s net the entire game (final shot tally: 46–27). They were also leading with under five minutes left to play—then squandered a weak tying goal (thanks in part to Mike Komisarek, who spent just under a quarter of his Maple Leafs debut in the penalty box) and a totally preventable game-winner (the usually reliable Luke Schenn will want to forget his role in that one). Of course, it’s only one game, and all the work Brian Burke put into shoring up the team’s defense should eventually pay off…but these late collapses will have to stop. Last year, the Leafs’ eight blown third period leads resulting in losses cost them a shot at the postseason. If this year’s team is going to compete, improvement in this one category would be a pretty good place to start.