Maple Leafs, Senators split doubleheader to open NHL pre-season

Sheldon Keefe confessed it felt like he should be getting ready to drive home.

The Maple Leafs head coach was speaking with reporters following Saturday afternoon's 4-1 victory over the Senators to open the NHL's exhibition schedule.

The only problem? Toronto and Ottawa had another 60 minutes of hockey to go as part of a rare split-squad doubleheader.

"It's strange, it feels like 10 [p.m.] right now," Keefe, who arrived at Scotiabank Arena before dawn, said around 4 p.m. following Game 1. "Haven't seen daylight yet today. But it serves a purpose for me and for us and for our team.

Mark Kastelic scored the winner as the Senators stormed back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to down the Leafs 4-2 and take the second contest of the twin bill.

Angus Crookshank, Josh Norris and Tyler Motte, into an empty net, had the other goals for the Senators.

Anton Forsberg, Ottawa's projected backup netminder when the regular schedule gets going next month, made 13 saves in just over 30 minutes of play.

Calle Jarnkrok had both goals for Toronto. Ilya Samsonov, in his first appearance since signing with the Leafs in free agency, stopped all 16 shots he faced in two periods of action. Michael Bunting had two assists.