Leafs Defeat Pens for Best Start Since 1999

The Maple Leafs continued their winning ways tonight with a 4-3 decision over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tonight's win gives the Leafs a 3-0 record, which is their best start to the season since 1999 when they finished first in the Northeast Division with 45 wins and 100 points.

Clarke MacArthur led the way with 2 goals to bring his current total to 4 goals, which ties him for first in the entire NHL. Colton Orr and Francois Beauchemin both contributed by each scoring their first goal of the season.

Orr opened the scoring at 5:18 of the first period by tipping in a shot by Luke Schenn. Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz responded six minutes later with his first of the season from Evgeni Malkin and Alex Goligoski. Maxime Talbot gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead in the final minutes of the first period, on a wrist shot from Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy.

Clarke MacArthur evened the game at 2-2 after scoring his third of the season, with assists from Tomas Kaberle and Dion Phaneuf. Francois Beauchemin gave the Leafs their first lead of the game on a slapshot from the blueline through traffic. MacArthur tipped in his second of the game on a no-look pass from Mikhail Grabovski to give the blue and white a comfortable lead. Mike Brown’s aggressive forecheck created the scoring opportunity for MacArthur.

At 19:16 of the second period, Penguins forward Sidney Crosby beat Jonas Gustavsson on a backhander to bring the score to 4-3 after 40 minutes.

The Leafs controlled the game with overall team speed and pursuit of the puck. Toronto’s first line didn’t have an impact on the score sheet, but their second and third lines played hard all game.

Colton Orr left the game midway through the second period after being shaken up in a fight with Deryk Engelland of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The rookie Engelland connected with a punch to Orr’s jaw, which knocked him down to the ice.

Jonas Gustavsson earned his first win of the season, stopping 22 shots for a %0.880 save percentage. Marc-Andre Fleury had only 10 saves in a losing effort. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is expected to start Friday’s game against the New York Rangers.