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If Craig Berube didn’t know Nick Robertson earlier than this coaching camp, he’s now well-acquainted with the winger and his spectacular scoring methods.
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Two extra tallies in Thursday’s 2-0 shutout in Detroit — he’s scored the Leafs’ previous 5 objectives within the exhibition schedule — places Robertson within the driver’s seat for a spot on the opening-night roster, a month after many doubted he could be round following a summer time commerce request. He ultimately agreed to a one-year deal and hasn’t seemed again.
However Robertson wasn’t the one Leaf to catch the coach’s consideration on a highway check of aspiring Toronto gamers towards a near-full Purple Wings lineup. Anthony Stolarz made 30 saves as he challenges Joseph Woll for the opening-night task Wednesday in Montreal.
The Leafs are 3-1-1 in pre-season motion with one to go Saturday versus the Purple Wings at Scotiabank Area. Last NHL rosters are to be filed by 5 p.m. Monday, EST.
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These Leafs on the bubble couldn’t have requested for a greater check, with Detroit enjoying its finest. Toronto shut down the Wings’ energy play 4 instances to proceed a 20-for-20 exhibition document in an space of concern final season.
The Leafs responded with an extra-man purpose of their very own. Simply as important for Berube was Robertson’s first purpose on a give-and-go with Easton Cowan, himself making an attempt to catch the coach’s eye. Cowan’s cross gave Robertson a transparent lane to snap it previous Cam Talbot.
Late within the third interval, Robertson made a pleasant defensive play, then jumped into the push earlier than taking a Max Pacioretty cross on a two-on-one and deking Talbot for the insurance coverage tally.
Robertson additionally noticed penalty-killing responsibility as he pushes for not less than a taxi squad job on a crowded Leafs depth chart.
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Pacioretty, looking for his area of interest because the membership’s elder statesman, was additionally on the primary energy play unit and earned two assists.
Left winger Steven Lorentz was given a extra elevated position Thursday than he can anticipate as a projected fourth-liner with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves. He was with goalie and fellow Florida Panthers Stanley Cup winner Stolarz, towards their former teammate Vladimir Tarasenko. All three shared some yuks when Stolarz flashed the leather-based on Tarasenko shot from the slot, the primary of two spectacular saves on him.
Lorentz, who’s on a PTO, although anticipated to signal, known as Stolarz “one among my nice buddies,” throughout an intermission interview on Sportsnet. “He’s so humble, you’d by no means know he was a hockey participant.”
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The undrafted Marshall Rifai, a key to extending Toronto’s pre-season penalty-killing mark, shone once more on the identical day the Leafs put his larger ranked Harvard College teammate, ahead Nick Abruzzese, on waivers. The Beaconsfield, Que., native, blocked 4 pictures Thursday, tied for the crew excessive. He additionally confirmed some offensive aptitude final spring for the Marlies with three playoff objectives.
Defenceman Philippe Myers (158 NHL video games) and ahead Cedric Pare (4 blocks) had a stable nights, as properly. Pare, who earned notoriety for the flawed causes final week for an unintentional knee-on-knee that injured Montreal’s Patrik Laine, had an excellent slot likelihood within the center interval.
Winger Alex Nylander was in his third exhibition recreation, however it was a quiet one and as anticipated, he must hone his recreation on the farm to earn a shot with older brother William on the massive crew.
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Cowan, 2023’s first-round choose, who has but to have a breakout recreation, can’t be positioned with the farm crew Marlies. Somewhat than return him to the OHL London Knights, the place he’s already over-achieved, Toronto would possibly maintain him as a reserve for not less than 9 video games earlier than a closing name must be made on returning him to junior with a watch to him ultimately enjoying for Canada on the world junior hockey championship in December.
With Stolarz beginning, Woll would look like in line for the final exhibition recreation. However Woll did look like labouring a bit at Thursday’s follow a bit after extending his decrease physique on a save.
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