TORONTO | We have already experienced more exciting evenings in the Queen City for a confrontation between the Canadiens and the Maple Leafs.
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No, this preparatory match between the two great rivals, won 3-0 by the locals, will not go down in history. It must be said that on one side as on the other, we had left the big guns at home.
With the exception of William Nylander, fans at Scotiabank Arena probably used the two teams’ roster sheets more often than usual to identify who was skating in front of them.
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Of course, most were curious to see Juraj Slafkovsky at work. For a second game in a row, the first choice of the last draft did not look bad. Without being exceptional, he applied himself in the small details.
Along with Joel Armia and Rem Pitlick, he formed the most consistent unit in the Montreal camp. In the second period, the Slovak’s work from the corner of the rink created a great scoring opportunity for Armia.
“It’s a preparatory game. It’s a bit difficult for everyone. We got a few good scoring opportunities, but we also had a few bad appearances,” Pitlick said at the end of the game.
Nervous Montembeault
In competition with Cayden Primeau for the position of auxiliary to Jake Allen, Samuel Montembeault obtained a first appearance in front of the net. Beaten by Nicholas Robertson in the seventh minute of the first period, he stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced.
“I was nervous. It had been a long time since I had played. I gave up a quick goal, but following that it was fine,” he said.
What we noticed…
DROUIN DECLARES WITHDRAWAL
Jonathan Drouin was to take part in the meeting. Ill, the veteran stayed at home, declaring at the same time forfeited. Juraj Slafkovsky took his place in the formation.
A DUO OF QUEBECERS
Kevin Poulin came to relieve Samuel Montembeault from the middle of the game. The 32-year-old goaltender, who played 30 games with the Laval Rocket last season, allowed two goals on 14 shots. Denis Malgin and Nicholas Abruzzese deceived his vigilance. Both goals were scored with the advantage of one man.
50 YEARS AGO, THE GOLDEN GOAL
Before the game, the Maple Leafs organization paid tribute to the Canadian team which, 50 years ago, won the Series of the Century once morest the Soviets. A few former players were there, including Serge Savard, Yvan Cournoyer, Ken Dryden, Peter Mahovlich, Frank Mahovlich and Paul Henderson. At each of the commercial breaks, we also made sure to bring the spectators present to life a summary of each of the eight matches of this famous confrontation.
MERCER ENTRENCHED
At the end of the morning, the Canadian announced that he had put an end to the amateur tryout of goalkeeper Riley Mercer. The 18-year-old athlete will report to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, with whom he will begin his second season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
+
Philip Mesar
Nobody stood out, but the sequence in which Mesar beats two Leafs players to create a great scoring opportunity is worth mentioning
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Corey Schueneman
The defender is also struggling to start the season in Montreal Yesterday, he did nothing regarding it It seemed to go quickly for him He often had his feet in the cement
First period
1-Tor: Nicholas Robertson (1) (Giordano, Murray)6:53
Penalties: Bourque (Mon) 9:13, Pitlick (Mon) 12:25
Second period
2-Tor: Denis Malgin (2)(Kerfoot, Steeves)AN-19:15
Penalties: Clifford (Tor) 7:08, Robertson (Tor) 12:54, Xhekaj (Mon) 18:27
Third period
3-Tor: Nick Abruzzese (1) (Nylander, Malgin)AN-16:35
Penalties: Jarnkrok (Tor) 13:30, Heineman (Mon) 16:11
Shoot to the net
Montreal 8 – 8 – 11 – 27 Toronto 10 – 10 – 9 – 29
Guardians:
Mon: Samuel Montembeault (P, 0-1-0) and Kevin Poulin (at 11:10 of the 2nd period) Tor: Matt Murray (G, 1-0-0) and Erik Kallgren (in 3rd period)
Numerical advantages:
Mon: 0 to 3, Tor: 2 to 4
Referees:
Ghislain Hebert, Cody Beach
Linesmen:
David Brisebois, Derek Nansen
ASSISTANCE:
17 519
A matter of execution
At the risk of repeating ourselves, it’s time for experiments and evaluation. The results don’t matter. The Canadian— left the home of the Maple Leafs without being able to hit the target. Which didn’t prevent Martin St-Louis from being satisfied with what he saw.
“Offensively, we had a good third period. In the second period, it was poor executions in neutral territory that prevented us from having too many attacks. We were unable to connect on passes, but the intention was there, ”said the CH head coach in a corridor at Scotiabank Arena.
The only catch was that lack of execution caused turnovers that gave the Maple Leafs scoring opportunities. Which is not necessarily frowned upon by the former Tampa Bay Lightning player.
“Turnarounds, I don’t have a problem with that when the intentions are excellent. It’s when you cause turnovers by making a bad choice of game or by taking badly calculated risks that I like it less, ”he compared.
Mesar gains confidence
Like his compatriot Juraj Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar was playing his second preseason match. The Slovak, also selected in the first round this summer, was less busy than when the New Jersey Devils visited, only treading the playing surface for 11:48.
In addition, he was used on the wing compared to Monday, playing between Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Anthony Richard.
“I felt more confident tonight. Overall, we did well, but a few individual mistakes explain why we lost,” he said.
“I am happy to live these experiences. Every game, I learn. Coach St-Louis is a very good guy, he maintained. Every time he talks to me, he tells me what I’m doing well and what I can improve. »
Stephens steps out of the shadows
If we often look at the youngsters who are in contention for a position with the big club, we forget that some support players try to command attention in the hope of receiving an injury call.
Mitchell Stephens has certainly scored points with management. He showed great aggression in opposing territory, causing a few turnovers. St-Louis also used him often on the penalty kill, a situation in which he did well.
“It was the first time I saw him play in front of me. I liked his effort. You see that he is a guy who has skating and who has a good throw, listed the coach of the Canadian. The guy is giving himself a chance. »
Acquired on the free agent market during the summer, the 25-year-old Ontarian has 72 games of experience on the Bettman circuit.
♦ The Canadiens will play their next preseason game on Thursday night, hosting the Winnipeg Jets.