The Toronto Maple Leafs will visit the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Thursday as they drop the puck on their third pre-season game.
As is usual, the Maple Leafs will dress mostly second-string players alongside the mandated minimum of NHL veterans. The Canadiens are expected to ice an NHL-loaded lineup.
Noteworthy is the inclusion of Easton Cowan, who will play in his third consecutive pre-season game. Toronto’s top prospect has impressed through the first week of training camp, earning praise from teammates and head coach Craig Berube.
Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, Bobby McMann, David Kampf, and Dakota Joshua highlight the everyday NHLers on Toronto’s roster.
None of Toronto’s projected top-six defensemen will dress; Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers will instead get the top defensive assignments.
Goaltender Dennis Hildeby is slated to start in Montreal, drawing attention following Joseph Woll's indefinite departure to tend to a personal family matter. Hildeby made 23 saves on 23 shots in 40 minutes of work during Toronto’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena.
What the Leafs can expect from the Canadiens tonight
The Leafs' veterans like Lorentz and Laughton will have a tough test on their hands going up against Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson, acquired from the New York Islanders, in addition to the likes of Russian star Ivan Demidov.
"I know Dobson's been around a little bit, but this Demidov kid seems pretty electric when he's got the puck on his stick," Lorentz said Thursday morning "So it's going to be a good test for the veterans that we got in the group tonight, it's going to be a good test for the young guys to see what these young world-class players are really all about."
Laughton, acquired by the Maple Leafs at the NHL trade deadline from the Philadelphia Flyers, will get his first taste of Toronto vs. Montreal.
"I haven't been part of much here so far, so I'm excited to get into it. Great building to play in, so it's always fun going there," Laughton said. "I haven't seen too much of those new guys there (in Montreal), they've got some skill up front. They got a ton of speed, and adding Dobson, I think, helps their back and big guy that can move the puck. And they got a good goalie. So it's a good team and a younger team, but, yeah, excited to go there today."
Latest stories: