Leafs win 4 – 1 in a game in which the score means nothing! But it was Maple Leafs hockey and they had fans in the ACC! All the goal scorers for the Leafs were from Ontario! An all-around good feeling of a night in Leafs land, so that’s nice. The Leafs if nothing else can win you back, best puppy eyes in the league!
It was a dominant Leafs victory, controlled play the entire night. They gave up 3+ breakaways/odd-man rushes that the Habs did not capitalize on. Caulfield missed the net by a good 5 feet on one.
Habs looked un-inspired, which Is understandable. They have had a very short off-season and are
not close to being fully healed for the season. Could be a tough start for the Habs, but I feel they eat that shit up. So ill wager a 15-7-3 start and then a slow slide into 10th spot. Bookmark it haha.
But the Habs certainly had their chances, and could have been in the game.
Let us delve into the individual performances that caught me eye;
Nicholas Robertson:
I really enjoyed when this guy was on the ice. Mathews and to a lesser extent Marner are exceptional at stick checking and being an over-all problem to teams when they are breaking the puck out of there zone. Robertson appears to be exceptional at this in his small sample size, I really appreciate this element of the game. I want the Leafs to be ANNOYING to play. I did not see a single lazer from him though, he definitely needs to shoot. But I do not re-call any missed opportunities, he just tended to be in a playmaking position. And he looked smooth in that role.
Played minutes on the PK, he fits the role real well. To no one’s surprise.
His brother in Dallas Jason Robertson, who had an ELITE rookie year last year, has really latched onto Joe Pavelski. It appears as if Jason Spezza has filled a similar role for Nicholas, and they looked good on the Ice together.
More please.
William Nylander:
Short haired Willy! You could set your watch to his new dew and it appears he is here to make a statement season. Haha yah after one preseason game, I’m a Leafs fan shoot me.
Willy was flying out there and looked POISED with the puck. His exceptional Zone entries were on full display, along with a more dominating presence. He looked to want to Quarter back the play and really accomplish something every shift.
Keefe had him on the PK with Robertson, the two looked Phenomenal together. And willy seemed to fit the PK the way Marner appeared to just excel at it last season.
On one rush he had the puck on a string, effortlessly got passed two defenceman and went hard to the net. Only to be denied five-hole entrance. But he looked other level on that play and I am here for it.
…And the feed to the next guy Muzzin. Was. Glorious.
Jake Muzzin:
The guy could have had a Hat-trick, the leg-kick scoring chance would have been on TSN for years.
Love Muzz, pumped to have him every night. No exception in pre-season.
Jason Spezza:
Another ZZ, another vet who just coasted out there and it looked effortless.
The broadcast mentioned Spezza not wanting to forget last year but to dissect it and find mistakes made/ wrong turns. The guy sounds like a coach when he talks, we are so lucky to have this man on the team. GET SPEZZA A CUP!
Michael Bunting:
Looked right at home with JT. Scored a goal by being in the right place, with his stick in the right position, following the play, battling in front of the net. Mwuah! Perfection. Do that every night with JT.
We need a GTA line for cripes sake.
Jonathan Tavares:
He looked like JT, he looked to be in excellent shape. What a great game for him, so happy he appears to have no ill effects from last off-season.
His line looked excellent and scored a goal. On one break-out attempt I heard JT yell at Ho-Sang to take it back deep into their own end. It was the right call. Ho-Sang heard it loud and clear and followed orders. I really like the idea of JT and reclamation projects/ hard-working lunch box players. His leadership is really given a chance to bloom, along with spreading out the arsenal the Leafs posses.
Joshua Ho-sang:
The third chunk of the GTA line! He looked good. Wasn’t able to capitalize on any wild plays, but also did not make any massive lapses of mistakes. A couple glimpse of this guys hands though, I am very excited to see this man play more.
He appeared to really take the role well of JT’s wing, he took marching orders and didn’t just play
lone wolf hockey. More of the GTA line please.
Kurtis Gabriel:
Who is this guy? He skates like a goof. Not nearly Lucic levels, but not far off. That being said he never seemed to be out of position, he seemed to actually pick spots well. He picked off one pass in Montreal’s end.
Oh and he seemed to lay hits every shift. Some, huge ones at that. Oh and he fought, though he was clearly gassed.
Okay so I have had four Tie Domi jerseys in my life. I really hope this man can stick. Please Barbera Underhill teach this man to fly.
Michael Amadio:
I had to google this man’s name for the fifth time.
I really liked his game. The broadcast rarely mentioned his name, but when they did, he was making solid plays. He might be a sneaky pick-up, probably Marlies depth. He might posses some sneaky good hands though. Definitely have my eye on him, next shot he gets.
Sandin – Brodie:
The game was meaningless, the competition was not stiff. Loved these two on the back-end. Felt real good having them on the ice.
More please.
Ian Scott:
Poor guy. String of injury problems, made some excellent saves. Injured his groin. Hope he can figure it out. Must be rough.
Leafs will ice roster number two on Monday night at 5pm (here in Saskatchewan)
Will we see Mathews and what is his new move, he always has a new move? Kase?! Richie?! Gusev?!...
Yay, Hockey.