Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares may have been absent from the lineup, but that didn’t stop his team from securing a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in pre-season action on Friday night.
The Leafs’ star forward Auston Matthews also sat out the game, but it was veteran Jason Robertson who led the charge for Toronto, scoring both goals in the shutout win.
The first period saw a slow start for both teams, with neither able to find the back of the net. However, the Leafs picked up the pace in the second period, with Robertson scoring his first goal of the night just over five minutes in.
The 22-year-old left winger, who was acquired by the Leafs in a trade with the Dallas Stars last season, showed off his skill and speed as he beat Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss with a wrist shot from the slot.
Robertson continued to impress in the third period, scoring his second goal of the game on a power play with just over six minutes remaining. He received a pass from linemate Mitch Marner and fired a one-timer past Greiss to give the Leafs a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The Red Wings tried to mount a comeback, but Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell stood tall in net, making 22 saves to earn the shutout.
Despite the absence of Tavares and Matthews, the Leafs’ offense looked strong, outshooting the Red Wings 33-22. The team also showed off their improved defensive play, limiting the Red Wings’ scoring chances and keeping them off the scoreboard.
The Leafs will continue their pre-season schedule on Sunday when they face off against the Ottawa Senators. Tavares and Matthews are expected to return to the lineup for that game.
As the regular season approaches, the Leafs will be looking to build on their strong performance against the Red Wings and continue to fine-tune their game. With a talented roster and high expectations, the team is determined to make a deep playoff run this year.
But for now, the focus remains on the pre-season, as the Leafs work to solidify their lineup and build chemistry before the games start to count. And with players like Robertson stepping up and making an impact, the future looks bright for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
