The Toronto Maple Leafs skated to a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in a tightly contested preseason recreation on Thursday night time. It wasn’t at all times fairly, however the crew’s star energy and disciplined defence carried them by. Right here’s a take a look at the standout moments from the sport, specializing in these key Maple Leafs who made a distinction.
Merchandise One: Mitch Marner’s Good Move to Set Up Tavares
Mitch Marner was at his playmaking finest on the Maple Leafs’ opening aim. With the crew on an influence play, Marner threaded an ideal move by three Canadiens defenders to search out John Tavares ready by the online. Tavares made no mistake, simply deflecting the puck into the aim previous Montreal’s Jakob Dobes. It’s too dangerous there’s a lot drama round Marner. He’s a particular participant, and it’s unhappy that contract negotiations can maintain such rancour for followers. One has to hope that he’ll be glad with a good contract slightly than squeezing out each final penny from the crew’s finite wage cap.
Associated: Can Nicholas Robertson Show Himself in Toronto’s Crowded Ahead Group?
The aim got here at 10:12 of the primary interval, with Morgan Rielly getting the secondary help. This sort of setup is what makes Marner so worthwhile. His imaginative and prescient and skill to search out open teammates beneath strain persistently generate scoring possibilities. Tavares’ positioning was good, however Marner’s help was the important thing to breaking open the sport.
Merchandise Two: Nick Robertson’s Sport-Winner and Two-Approach Play
Nicholas Robertson is making a case for a roster spot. His game-winning aim got here within the second interval. On an ideal heads-up play, he stripped Montreal’s Adam Engstrom within the Canadiens’ defensive zone. He then powered by a hook from Engstrom that might have been known as a penalty and slapped the puck by Dobes’ legs. It was an ideal shot and good play.
Robertson solely had one shot on aim within the recreation, but it surely was the one which mattered. He additionally impressed along with his relentless forechecking and accountable defensive play. Whereas his damage historical past has hampered his improvement, this recreation was one other reminder of his potential. If Robertson exhibits a capability to contribute at each ends of the ice, he may very well be a worthwhile asset for the Maple Leafs this season.
Merchandise Three: Easton Cowan Shines Alongside Marner and Domi
Lastly, Easton Cowan‘s efficiency stood out on this recreation, particularly enjoying alongside Marner and Max Domi. The trio was the Maple Leafs’ finest line of the night time. Cowan’s velocity and offensive instincts meshed completely with Marner’s playmaking and Domi’s grit.
Associated: Maple Leafs’ Easton Cowan: It’s Not the Dimension of the Canine
Cowan recorded three pictures on aim, all harmful. He additionally contributed defensively with a blocked shot and two hits. This was a breakout efficiency for the younger ahead, who hadn’t finished a lot fallacious but in addition hadn’t proven a lot leap in earlier video games. Cowan’s means to maintain up with veterans speaks volumes about his future within the NHL. He’s going to be a top-six participant sometime with the crew. Will or not it’s this season?
Merchandise 4: Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson Bounce Again
After struggling of their first preseason recreation collectively, Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson rebounded in a giant means towards Montreal. The pair was dominant at five-on-five, controlling 75% of pictures for and 73% of anticipated objectives for when on the ice collectively. As dangerous as they have been in preseason recreation two, they have been simply as efficient in preseason recreation three. Humorous recreation, hockey.
Ekman-Larsson, specifically, appeared sharp. He was noticeable for all the appropriate causes, making good performs with the puck and positioning himself properly defensively. The Maple Leafs introduced in Ekman-Larsson to bolster their blue line, and if he continues to play like this, he’ll be a dependable presence. McCabe’s physicality and defensive consciousness complemented Ekman-Larsson’s extra offensive recreation, making them a pairing to observe because the common season approaches.
Merchandise 5: Damage Issues Surrounding Nylander, Tavares, and Matthews
Whereas the sport led to a win, there are rising damage issues for the Maple Leafs’ high stars. William Nylander left the sport within the first interval after an odd play the place Nick Robertson by accident knocked him off stability. Nylander collided with Christian Dvorak’s knee and didn’t return. Head coach Craig Berube later said that Nylander’s absence was precautionary. Nonetheless, followers are most likely nervous about his standing.
Associated: NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Flyers, Kings, Senators
Tavares additionally took a success to the knee early within the recreation. Whereas he returned after lacking just a few shifts, he was held out of the third interval as a precaution. The Maple Leafs can not afford to lose each Nylander and Tavares, particularly with Auston Matthews additionally sitting out because of a minor damage suffered in apply. Matthews is predicted to return quickly, however with the common season across the nook, the well being of Toronto’s core gamers is crucial.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs and Canadiens will face off once more in Montreal on Saturday. With the variety of bumps and bruises Toronto has suffered in current video games, count on a number of of the crew’s core gamers to sit down this one out. This can give prospects and gamers on the bubble a last alternative to impress earlier than roster cuts start.
Whereas groups need to use the preseason to construct line chemistry and get their gamers prepared for the common season, there’s at all times the looming threat of damage. What’s the appropriate stability? Hockey is such a quick, bodily recreation that it’s inconceivable to dial it in and get away with it. An errant stick, a success gone fallacious, or blocking a puck with the hand—any of those can result in accidents.
That’s why, though the Maple Leafs’ stars doubtless received’t see a ton of preseason motion, they nonetheless must play. Will probably be fascinating to see how Berube and his workers navigate this difficult scenario. Balancing relaxation with preparation is a problem each crew faces, however one misstep may impression the season earlier than it even begins.
