In their final preseason matchup, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted a Detroit Red Wings team that featured mostly prospects and players vying for a spot on the roster. This game marked the Red Wings’ third contest in as many nights. Although the expanded preseason roster meant that not all players participated in every game, it still posed a significant challenge for the Red Wings.
The Bad for the Maple Leafs
I’ll begin with the negatives, as the game got off to a rough start for the Maple Leafs. Detroit scored just 3:33 into the period with their very first shot on goal. For the second time this preseason, Max Pacioretty attempted a risky cross-ice pass that I’m sure new Head Coach Craig Berube would prefer to see eliminated from the team’s playbook. The pass, meant for Pontus Holmberg, missed its target and went behind him as he was trying to leave the zone. This error allowed Andrew Copp to retrieve the puck at the point, where he sent a shot that Christian Fischer deflected into the net from the high slot, beating Joseph Woll.
Pacioretty had already been under scrutiny for a similar mistake earlier in the preseason when he misfired on a cross-ice pass intended for William Nylander just outside the Toronto blue line, leading to a goal for the opposition. This trend is concerning for a player looking to secure a contract.
After the Leafs managed to tie the game at one, the Red Wings quickly regained the lead with just 2:02 left in the first period. Matthews Knies made a solid defensive play by blocking a point shot from William Wallander on the power play. Unfortunately, the puck deflected right to Copp, who unleashed a quick shot that beat Woll before he had a chance to react.
Despite Toronto’s overall skill advantage, the first period concluded with a 2-1 lead for Detroit, and the shots on goal were surprisingly close at 10-9 in favor of the Red Wings.
In the Maple Leafs’ final preseason game against the Red Wings, there were both ups and downs for the team as they looked to finalize their roster ahead of the season opener.
The Good for the Maple Leafs
On a positive note, new coach Craig Berube likely appreciated that Toronto tied the game with contributions from their fourth line. The sequence started with Phillipe Myers making a play to keep the puck in the Detroit zone after taking a hit. Steven Lorentz then delivered a solid check on Nate Danielson, allowing him to regain possession.
Following this, Ryan Reaves executed a borderline hit that could have drawn a penalty but went uncalled, freeing up the puck. He picked up the loose puck and found Lorentz in position to score, allowing him to one-time the puck past Detroit goalie Ville Husso’s blocker side. This sequence showcased some grit and determination from the Leafs, highlighting their depth and ability to contribute from all lines.
As the team prepares for the regular season, the mix of good and bad performances will be something to keep an eye on, especially for players like Pacioretty as they seek to solidify their roles.
The Maple Leafs Power Play Was Working Against the Red Wings
The Maple Leafs gained the advantage with two power-play goals, one scored early in the second period and the other in the third. The first goal was a one-timer by Auston Matthews from the faceoff dot to the left of Husso, assisted by Mitch Marner, who delivered a perfect cross-ice pass after Matthews won a draw in the Detroit zone with just nine seconds remaining on the power play. Matthew Knies also contributed by tapping the puck back to Marner, earning a secondary assist.
Matthew Knies Maple Leafs Season
Two key factors contributed to that goal. First, Berube kept the first power-play unit on the ice for less than a minute, allowing him to deploy the line of Matthews, Marner, and Knies alongside Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev. There were only nine seconds left on the power play. Second, as the power play was nearing its end, Toronto had its standard setup of three forwards and two defensemen on the ice. With only moments left in the man advantage, Tanev was positioned as the left winger at the faceoff, while Knies shifted to the right side, and Marner played at the point. Although former Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was recognized for his strategic thinking, this was a clever tactical decision by Berube that proved effective.
Marner Plays a Key Role in the Power Play
Marner was instrumental in the second power-play goal as well. He managed to race past Fischer to gain possession of the puck near the point to the left of Husso, ensuring it stayed in the offensive zone. Marner skillfully bounced the puck off the boards to Matthews, who then found Tavares in the high slot to Husso’s right. Tavares received the pass, maneuvered around Antti Tuomisto, and unleashed a shot over Husso’s blocker into the net. Husso seemed to expect the shot to come to his glove side, leaving him completely deceived.
After being outshot 10-9 in the first period, the Maple Leafs dominated the second period, outshooting the Red Wings 15-1. In fact, from the 17:58 mark of the first period until the 9:05 mark of the third, Detroit managed only one shot on goal. This stretch lasted 31 minutes and nine seconds of play, during which the Red Wings could only muster a single shot.
The Ugly for the Maple Leafs
I’m trying to find something to critique about this game, and the only issue that stands out is a peculiar penalty called on Fischer with 4:38 remaining in the second period. Toronto had dominated play in the Detroit zone for almost two minutes, preventing the Red Wings from making a line change. After Detroit iced the puck, all the tired Red Wings players remained trapped on the ice for the upcoming faceoff. Fischer seemed to be checking his stick by pressing it against the ice and flexing the shaft, which caused it to snap in two.
One of the referees immediately raised his hand and penalized Fischer for delay of game. Both Fischer and the Detroit bench were left in disbelief over the call. The referee claimed that Fischer had intentionally broken his stick to give the Red Wings players on the ice a chance to rest. I’m not sure if the NHL has a directive against this type of tactic, but it certainly was an odd call.
It didn’t appear that Fischer was applying much pressure to the stick to break it; he was simply testing it, a common practice among players throughout the game.
With Preseason Over, What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
With the preseason now behind us, it will be interesting to see what moves Brad Treliving makes to finalize the starting roster and manage the salary cap. Training camp showcased many positive developments, and we’ll take some time in the coming days to discuss those highlights.
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