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Nick Robertson didn’t rating in Ottawa on Tuesday evening.
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Given the aggressive combat for jobs on the wings within the preseason, the 23-year-old needed to be hoping for extra within the Maple Leafs’ second preseason recreation.
The Leafs misplaced 2-1 on the Canadian Tire Centre in opposition to the Ottawa Senators with the deciding purpose scored by Zack Ostapchuk at 12:36 of the third interval.
Robertson performed in all conditions and had 18 minutes 40 seconds of ice time, second amongst Leafs forwards to Bobby McMann’s 18:44. Although Robertson performed with the form of hustle we’ve come to count on from him, he wasn’t capable of make an offensive distinction in opposition to a Senators group that dressed an excellent group of its veterans.
Robertson completed with two pictures on purpose on six makes an attempt. When he was on the ice for greater than 11 minutes at five-on-five, the Senators managed to report simply two pictures on purpose. That might be famous by coach Craig Berube and his workers.
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“You’re all the time competing,” Robertson mentioned on Tuesday after the morning skate on the Ford Efficiency Centre. “I simply received to do what I received to do. I’m targeted on myself and taking part in properly and coaches kind that stuff out.
“We’re all opponents. We’re not simply competing in opposition to one man. We’re all the time opponents in apply.”
Nonetheless, among the many belongings you would possibly keep in mind from the Leafs’ first two preseason video games is that Max Pacioretty, in camp on knowledgeable tryout, scored two targets within the opener on Sunday and Robertson didn’t reply in that method 48 hours later.
One thing to bear in mind relating to Robertson, whose low season request for a commerce didn’t bear fruit. He would require waivers if the Leafs determine to ship him to the Toronto Marlies. Although normal supervisor Brad Treliving couldn’t discover a commerce accomplice in the course of the summer season, you may wager Robertson can be claimed if the Leafs tried to get him via.
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And we’ll additionally needless to say nearly all of the preseason stays with 4 video games nonetheless on the Leafs’ schedule. There’s time for Robertson to place the puck within the internet. And he’s certain to get an opportunity within the high 9, alongside one in every of Auston Matthews, William Nylander or John Tavares within the subsequent week or so.
On Tuesday, Robertson skated on a line with McMann and Pontus Holmberg.
In the meantime, one other teen with eyes on a task to start out the common season didn’t make an affect. That may be Easton Cowan, who quietly had one shot on purpose and one different try. Cowan led all Leafs in power-play time with 4:36, however couldn’t assist Toronto from going 0-for-4 with a person benefit.
STEEVES STEPS UP
Alex Steeves hasn’t been in severe consideration for a bottom-six job with the Leafs, however he ensured he was seen when he opened the scoring at 6:29 of the primary, beating Sens goalie Anton Forsberg with a fast shot alongside the ice.
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Steeves additionally led all Leafs with eight hits.
The fact for Steeves is that he’s going through an uphill battle as he vies for a spot. Regardless of three stable seasons with the Toronto Marlies, together with 57 factors in 65 video games in 2023-24, he hasn’t earned a real shot with the NHL membership, taking part in in a complete of seven video games.
We’ll see if he can proceed to make a powerful push because the preseason progresses, however he’s doubtless certain for the Marlies once more to start out the common season. That’s extra of a touch upon who Steeves is competing in opposition to than it’s on his particular person play.
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STOLARZ SHINES
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, in his Toronto preseason debut after signing a two-year, $5-million US contract in July, sparkled.
Stolarz began within the Leafs internet and stopped 15 pictures, permitting solely a purpose by Sens defenceman Jake Sanderson at 16:27 of the primary interval.
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Earlier than giving strategy to Dennis Hildeby halfway via the second as deliberate, Stolarz performed with the form of confidence you’ll count on from somebody who received the Stanley Cup (to make certain, in a minor position) with the Florida Panthers final spring.
The Leafs wish to know that Stolarz could be succesful within the occasion that Joseph Woll is injured. Tiny pattern measurement, for positive, however Stolarz demonstrated as a lot on Tuesday.
ICE CHIPS
Berube summed up the Leafs’ effort this manner in his post-game scrum with reporters: “I believed we have been aggressive in all three zones, we have been on the forecheck arduous and have been bodily and profitable battles. I believed our guys did an excellent job of monitoring again in our zone, not giving up odd-man rushes. It was a reasonably hard-fought recreation for us. May execution be higher with the puck? For positive.” … Ostapchuk scored the winner after he intercepted a move by Toronto defenceman Nicolas Mattinen and beat Hildeby with a deke. Ottawa was short-handed on the time … The Sens’ Ridly Greig departed the sport within the first interval after he was thrown to the ice by Holmberg. Afterward, Sens coach Travis Inexperienced informed reporters that Greig had a headache and was stored out for precautionary causes. Ottawa wasn’t thrilled with Holmberg on the play — he was assessed a roughing minor — and early within the third interval, Cole Reinhardt engaged Holmberg in a combat … The Leafs received simply 20 of 56 faceoffs. Holmberg received seven attracts and misplaced 13, whereas David Kampf received six and misplaced 9 … Nikita Grebenkin, who received the gang stepping into Toronto on Sunday when he fought Ottawa’s Adam Gaudette, missed his verify on the Sanderson purpose, permitting the latter to make the most of an open lane … McMann had six pictures on purpose and eight makes an attempt, main the Leafs in each classes.
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