Tavares scored two goals in the game before the Canadiens came back and won in overtime.
Tavares scored two goals in the game before the Canadiens came back and won in overtime.
All of the Maple Leafs' big guns got to work on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
It was the first game where we're seeing all of Toronto's main players in the lineup for training camp. And while we came away with knowing both teams don't like each other, there were some positive signs when looking ahead to the regular season.
Here are a few of my observations from the Canadiens pre-season win ver the Maple Leafs.
John Tavares looks to have added a step
It might just be me, but it looked as though Tavares got a tad faster in the off-season.
Along with the look of him being quicker, the Maple Leafs captain added a power play goal and looked like the Tavares of old on Monday. He even had a goal at five-on-five.
His strength around the net is strong, and with that being said, I'm looking for the 33-year-old to have one of his best seasons in Toronto this year.
The strength of the power kill
There was, and still is, mixed feelings from fans about Auston Matthews killing penalties this season. Some don't like the idea because the possibility of injury grows, others love the scheme because of how many more chances it'll allow the 26-year-old to have.
He and Mitch Marner fit the part on Monday night against Montreal. Putting these two on the penalty kill makes a ton of sense with how much offense they can create while still being responsible in the defensive end.
During Sportsnet's first intermission segment, Elliotte Friedman said something that stuck with me. I'm paraphrasing, but he said something along the lines of: Matthews and Marner are the best players on the ice, even against another team's power play.
And if this duo sticks, it could be a dangerous penalty kill for the entire season.
Noah Gregor's contract is coming
Once again, the 25-year-old has an impressive showing in a Maple Leafs uniform on Monday. Yes, it was a weaker goal, but Gregor showcases his east-to-west speed which allows him to create space for himself.
He, David Kampf, and Ryan Reaves seem to have found something together. The fourth line held the Canadiens in their own zone a number of times throughout Monday's game, even creating a couple scoring chances.
Gregor's speed ties together perfectly with Kampf's responsibility in both ends of the rink and Reaves' physicality. I think this could be a dangerous fourth line.
The other observations
- Timothy Liljegren was on the second pairing Monday and fit the part almost perfectly. I believe this is the year the 24-year-old takes a massive step. Along with his strong play at five-on-five, he could do some damage on the power play, too, if he does get more time.
His ability to walk the blue line with the puck and find the net from the point is something the Maple Leafs don't have much of (that I've seen). John Klingberg, in reality, could be that player ahead of Liljegren.
- Max Domi and William Nylander are building some chemistry. Domi's speed was very noticeable on Monday night against Montreal. He found the back of the net in part because of Nylander.
A nice defensive play from Nylander begins the play and you can see Domi's first couple of strides help him get into the right position to find the puck and put it in the back of the net.
- In every one of these stories, I discuss the consistency of strong play by Matthew Knies. He had another strong game using his strength and his body to create plays in the offensive end. Knies has been a very impressive player thus far in training camp.
- The forward lines are really balanced currently with Nylander centring a line.
Sam Lafferty, Knies, and Tavares are having success currently. This was a line that I wasn't sure about when training camp began, but they've looked really good. As has every other forward line for Toronto.
I've liked Nylander's line, too. However, I'm not sure if Nick Robertson is a fit on the line. He's had some good moments in the pre-season but he hasn't been finishing off his chances. And as someone who's labelled a goal-scorer, you need them to finish their chances.
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