What We Learned From the Maple Leafs' First Preseason Game vs Senators

As the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators squared off in first preseason game of the season, the blue and white emerged with the win over their provincial rivals and while Ottawa made it close, Toronto were able to hold them off by a 4-3 score.

Goals from Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, William Villeneuve and Matthew Barbolini were enough for the Leafs to win, although Ottawa made it close off goals from Arthur Kaliyev, Olle Lycksell, and Ridly Greig.

So with the game concluded, let's see who stood out and what we can take away from the first preseason contest.

It was a great showing for the NHL players on the roster today, as the trio of Jarnkrok, Robertson and Kampf all contributed on the scoresheet with Jarnkrok needing less than a minute:

Villeneuve then made it 3-0 after his point shot deflected off of Tyler Kleven and beat Linus Ullmark:

Easton Cowan was held off the scoreboard however was agitating and infuriating the Sens all game:

Matthew Barbolini made it 4-1 after Greig put the Sens on the scoreboard, and put in a nifty little give and go with Bo Groulx who had a strong two-way showing.

Artur Akhtyamov was solid in net for Toronto stopping 16 of 17 shots and looking very calm and poised even under some dire circumstances:

Toronto were outshot 35-20 as Ottawa piled on the shots, and it was a testy affair as well with 18 total penalties including a scrap between Marshall Rifai and Zach MacEwan.

As questions remain about the fit for Robertson, Jarnkrok and Kampf, if they were desperate to ensure they stayed with the Maple Leafs; they showed it.

Jarnkrok is coming off a season where he dealt with hernia surgery and didn't look comfortable on the ice. Fast forward to today where he was skating with no issues, and gave Toronto an early lead. He has a ton to prove and he's going to show everyone why he can't be counted out.

Kampf is the one who gets a lot of negative attention because of his fairly large contract and lack of skills besides defensive help however his assist on Robertson's goal showed a surprising knack for playmaking; and he has had a 26-point season with 11 goals so it's clear he can help out (and needs to more).

The big one though was Robertson, who is truly fighting for his last chance to make an impression before the team really has some tough decisions to make. He's got to prove that he can stay consistent, and he can't start asking for trades if he doesn't play 20 minutes a night; once he earns it, he'll stay.

Jacob Quillan raised his stock as he was active all game, and William Villeneuve ended up bringing some much needed offense to the back end; and on the power play no less. He should definitely earn a call-up at some point to see what he can offer.

We still have more preseason games to determine who might be also breaking out and looking like a roster member but for now, you have to be impressed though maybe they can make things a little less tense the next time out.

Toronto's next preseason game takes place on Tuesday in Toronto once again versus the Ottawa Senators; the game is scheduled for 7pm ET.