Robertson scored twice and continues to show why he should make the club's opening-night roster.
Robertson scored twice and continues to show why he should make the club's opening-night roster.
After initially requesting a trade away from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson signed a one-year deal before training camp began and came into everything with an open mind.
Well, it seems to be working out.
Robertson scored both of Toronto's goals as the Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in pre-season action at Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday.
In the first period the the club's last meeting between these two teams, Robertson was involved in an incident that nearly resulted in an injury to teammate William Nylander. He managed to shake that off and score the game-winning goal on Thursday.
He followed that up with a power-play goal in the first period, a lengthy one due to the 27 minutes in penalties issued to Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj (more on that later).
Robertson picked up his second of the game in the third period, picking up a bank pass off the boards from Pontus Holmberg.
Playing in his third pre-season game, Robertson has three goals. Because he requires waivers this season before being stashed away in the minors, the player would likely be claimed by another club. Even with players like Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz among PTOs who are likely to find their way to the roster come opening night, it's hard to envision a scenario where Robertson isn't a part of it.
Laine, Reinbacher injuries highlight the dangers of pre-season hockey
Within the first five minutes of the game, the Canadiens lost defenseman David Reinbacher and forward Patrik Laine due to injury. The Laine injury looked fairly gruesome in particular with his knee bending in a way it wasn't supposed to.
Cedric Pare's knee made contact with Laine's and that resulted in Arber Xhekaj going after Pare in retaliation.
The infraction resulted in 27 minutes issued to Xhekaj, including a game misconduct for being an aggressor.
It's really tough to see these types of injuries, particularly in games that have no meaning whatsoever. Every NHL team is required to play a minimum of six pre-season games according to the NHL's collective bargaining agreement.
In today's NHL where the salary cap dictates so much of what teams can do, a pre-season longer than two-to-four pre-season games makes little sense anymore. They've got to find a way to reduce it when the next CBA is up at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Officials did a good job keeping things in check
After the Xhekaj fight, there was a great potential for the game to get very ugly. But officials went on a penalty-calling spree from there calling absolutely anything that was borderline. By limiting the amount of 5-on-5 time, teams are forced to get back into special-teams work and there's less of a likelihood of shenanigans.
Hildebeast Mode
While Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are undoubtedly Toronto's top two goaltenders, Dennis Hildeby continues to show growth in his game. He made 26 saves and the only goal he allowed occurred late when the goaltender lost his stick.
In 88:44 of pre-season action, Hildeby has a save percentage of .947.
Related
Bobby McMann Misses Maple Leafs Practice Due to 'Maintenence', Calle Jarnkrok Returns to the Ice
News from THN.com
Here's Why Drew Doughty's Devastating Injury Could Keep The Kings From Making The Playoffs
Ullmark Can Bail Out The Senators, But He Needs Help From Blueliners To Succeed Long-Term
Bruins Defenseman Says Nikita Zadorov's Heavy Hitting Will Boost Team's Physicality