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The Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ big guns, captain Auston Matthews and John Tavares scored a power play goal to erase a 2-1 deficit. Steven Lorentz had the other for the Leafs. Meanwhile, Christian Fischer and Andrew Copp (power play) replied for the Red Wings.
So, let’s take a look at the three major takeaways from the Toronto Maple Leafs win in their preseason finale against the Detroit Red Wings.
Three major takeaways from Toronto Maple Leafs' preseason win vs Detroit Red Wings
#3 Joseph Woll kept the Leafs in the game early
After the Red Wings took an early lead on Fischer’s goal, Leafs’ starting netminder Joseph Woll had to be sharp to keep Toronto in the game.
In particular, Woll was huge in the first period when he stymied the Wings during a 5-on-3 power play. Woll had to make several saves, especially as the Leafs’ penalty killers got tied down in their own zone for over a minute.
Woll absolutely robbed Michael Rasmussen on a 2-on-1 rush chance. Rasmussen took a cross-ice feed from Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and ripped one at the net. However, Woll slid across and made an acrobatic save to keep the game close.
Eventually, Woll and the Leafs settled down. Woll made 18 saves on 20 shots to earn the win.
#2 The fourth line looked strong
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube deployed a fourth line consisting of David Kampf, PTO invitee Steven Lorentz and enforcer Ryan Reaves. The line played well despite limited ice time. The line was energetic and battled along the board.
The line’s efforts led to the Steven Lorentz goal, which tied the game at 12:20 make of the first period. The goal was possible, thanks to the work along the boards, finishing checks and getting open. A check by Lorentz led to a loose puck that Reaves fed Lorentz from behind the net.
The goal underscored the largely productive night by the Leafs’ griners.
#1 The power play came through when needed
In the end, the Leafs’ power play was the difference in the game. Captain Auston Matthews ripped a one-timer from Mitch Marner to tie the game early in the second period.
John Tavares scored just under five minutes into the third period to give the Leafs the lead. From there, the Leafs played a tight defensive game to ice the win.
All told, the Leafs went 2-for-4 with the man advantage, setting the tone for what could be one of the league’s best power plays.
