Korpisalo shuts out Maple Leafs 2-0 in first playoff start

Joonas Korpisalo stopped 28 shots in his first playoff start, Cam Atkinson scored early in the third period and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 on Sunday night in Game 1 of their best-of-five qualifying round series.

Korpisalo, who got the nod over rookie Elvis Merzlikins, whom he battled during the short summer training camp, neutralized one of the NHL’s highest scoring teams. He got a lot of help from a smothering Blue Jackets defense, which did not allow a Toronto shot in the last seven minutes of the game.

After Korpisalo matched Toronto veteran goalie Frederik Andersen through the first two periods, Atkinson’s snap shot from the top of the right circle went under Andersen's right arm 1:05 into the third.

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates his goal with Alexander Wennberg (10) and Nick Foligno (71) during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

Alexander Wennberg sealed the win with an empty-netter with 19 seconds remaining.

Andersen had 34 saves for the Maple Leafs.

The teams opened their series as part of the league’s 24-team relaunch to its pandemic-halted 2019-20 season. The game was played at empty Scotiabank Arena in the NHL’s return following a 142-day absence.

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) scores past Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) as Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly (44) watches during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Leafs are trying to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. They are coming off consecutive first-round, seven-game playoff losses to the Boston Bruins.

The Leafs were eighth in the Eastern Conference at 36-25-9, while the Blue Jackets were ninth with a 33-22-3 mark.

...

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Alexander Wennberg (10) during the third period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

NOTES: Eighteen-year-old Nicholas Robertson made his NHL debut for Toronto. ... Columbus reached the playoffs for a franchise-best fourth straight season....The Blue Jackets won their first playoff series ever when they swept Tampa Bay in the first round last year. ... Columbus played 11 rookies this season, which was tied for the second-most in the NHL after San Jose (12). ... Toronto was second in the NHL with 237 goals in the regular season, but also allowed the seventh-most at 222. ... The Maple Leafs were 1-0-1 against Columbus in the regular season.

UP NEXT: Game 2 is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

—-

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) tries to tip the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) as Blue Jackets defenseman Dean Kukan (46) watches during the second period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) during the second period of an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Toronto Maple Leafs react to a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in an NHL hockey playoff game in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)