'Lack of everything'

Toronto needs to play more disciplined game

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs paid for their lack of discipline, hustle and offense in their Eastern Conference semifinal opener against Ottawa.

They've got little time to correct their mistakes in preparing for Game 2 on Saturday against the composed and efficient Senators, 5-0 winners in the first game of the best-of-seven series Thursday night.

"Absolutely, lack of discipline, lack of everything," Alexander Mogilny said. "You can't intimidate anybody in this league, and they've shown that they came to play and they played well."

While most of the Senators had the day off Friday, the Maple Leafs held a full practice. Coach Pat Quinn even called a meeting with his players at center ice that lasted 10 minutes.

Asked what was discussed in the meeting, Quinn said: "Nothing special. We just have to show up as a different sort of team, hopefully."

The Maple Leafs found out early in Game 1 that the same style of play that was so effective in their first-round series against the New York Islanders wouldn't work against the Senators.

"Yeah, it's a dramatic change," Quinn said. "A lot of things changed last night. We kind of got caught by it. It's a chore ahead of us. We're down one and we've got to find a way to win one."

Ottawa capitalized on three of 12 power-play opportunities, including two goals in the first nine minutes while Mogilny was serving a double-minor for high sticking.

Goaltender Patrick Lalime anchored a strong defensive showing, stopping 27 shots for his NHL playoff record-tying fourth shutout of the postseason.

The Senators' performance earned praise from the Maple Leafs.

"They took it to us," Mogilny said. "They played unbelievable. It was like no comparison out there."

The Senators are showing the same composure off the ice that they showed in Game 1, doing little to incite the Maple Leafs.

Ottawa coach Jacques Martin almost sounded disappointed with his team's performance.

"There's a couple of areas we need to be better," Martin said. "Oh, I'm happy. But as you move along in a series, I know that Toronto's going to be a lot better on Saturday, and we have to be better."

The Senators, making just their second second-round playoff appearance in franchise history, earned their first victory over Toronto in three playoff meetings.

"It's great, first win," said Martin Havlat, who had a goal and two assists. "It's great for confidence, but we can't get too high."

The Maple Leafs troubles are compounded by the struggles of goalie Curtis Joseph.

Joseph missed 21 late-season games with broken bone in his catching hand, and continues to look uncomfortable. Joseph has allowed 26 goals in eight games, and his goals-against average has ballooned to 3.36 -- more than a goal above his career playoff average of 2.23.

"Are you a stats man?" Joseph said, testily, when asked about his average. "Yes, you don't like that stat. The point of the matter is that we won the first round. ... It doesn't matter how you win four games. You've got to win four games."

Quinn defended Joseph, saying the Leafs are struggling defensively, particularly the penalty-killing unit, which has allowed a playoff high 14 power-play goals on 50 chances.

He's also sure that Joseph's stats will improve.

"Curtis is a proud guy," Quinn said. "He'll be busy trying to get himself ready to win the next game. That's the most important statistic to him."

 

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