Toronto had the task of taking on the Detroit Red Wings, and the debut of their new Head Coach, Todd McLellan. Would Toronto have what it takes to overcome the new coach bounce without their superstar, Austin Matthews?
The Red Wings would have the early shot lead, but the Maple Leafs (David Kampf) would score first on just their second shot. Two shots later, the Maple Leafs (Mitch Marner) would tally another on a defensive breakdown by the Red Wings in their own end. The teams would then share unsuccessful power play opportunities, before Marner would score his second of the game, to put the Leafs up 3-0 after one.
Not that the Leafs didn’t have a few good chances, but the Red Wings were more defensive-sound in this period, at least early. This would not stop Marner from getting a natural hat trick with 3:37 left in the second, putting the Leafs up 4-0. The Red Wings’ focus on defense seemed to come at the expense of shot output, allowing the Leafs to pass them in shots on goal in the second. The Wings would show a lack of focus at the end of the period, allowing Nicholas Robertson to score with just 1.3 seconds left in the frame. Red Wings goalie Cal Talbot allowed 5 on 21 shots.
Detroit would get their second power play opportunity just 1:39 into the third. The third period was just like the first two for Detroit, with few high-danger changes, and not even a shot on goal during that power play. The Leafs would gift them another power play with 13:20 to go, and Detroit (Lucas Raymond) would finally get one by goaltender Joseph Woll. Simon Edvinsson would make it interesting, scoring a second goal for Detroit at the 12:08 mark.
The Toronto Maple Leafs would defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. The Wings showed almost no offensive pressure and paired it with poor goaltending. Detroit is behind schedule, and the fans are starting to let them hear it at home.
Howe Fresh
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