Leafs start pre-season with a bang

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The brand new-look Maple Leafs used some Blue Jays jazz, exhibiting off defence, hitting, scoring — even some Bunting — in a long-awaited return to near-normal dwelling recreation situations.

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Sure, the energetic 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens doesn’t rely, however after a summer season of getting their playoff shortcomings magnified, it was a dose of coaching camp positivity earlier than a half full Scotiabank Enviornment, introduced at 10,000.

Captain John Tavares was again with an influence play tally — he and particular groups being sorely missed towards the Habs late within the seven-game collection — whereas his pesky newcomer winger Michael Bunting had a purpose. Their different GTA linemate, Josh Ho-Sang, additionally had soar in transition.

Winger Kurtis Gabriel added a late purpose and a center interval battle to his first recreation feats and centre Michael Amadio added to a listing of forwards attempting to be acknowledged, scoring whereas centring Nick Robertson and Jason Spezza.

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There was a two-helper evening from William Nylander, practically a purpose in his daring first-shift rush by way of the Habs to check starter Cayden Primeau. And many factors from an livelyblueline, a Jake Muzzin opening strike (he might’ve had a hat trick), two helpers from TJ Brodie, one from Rasmus Sandin.

Michael Hutchinson took the lead on youthful challengers for the No. 3 job in web, turning apart seven pictures and in good place for a number of extra shut calls earlier than giving approach to Ian Scott to begin the third interval. The injury-plagued Scott was promoted after Joseph Woll had a slight concern on Friday in camp, however solely lasted 5 minutes himself, probably getting harm extending himself on a save.

It was the primary of six exhibitions for Toronto, which heads again to Montreal Monday evening with a unique lineup chosen from its 50-player camp. With out the rested Mitch Marner and with Auston Matthews harm, the opposite half of the workforce’s Core 4, Tavares and Nylander shepherded their strains effectively. Tavares nifty flip cross despatched Ho-Sang in on a third-period break, however Michael McNiven was there.

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The Canadiens, additionally utilizing a roster that blended stars and wannabes, had Cole Caufield, Tyler Toffoli and Nick Suzuki, although not as many acknowledged defencemen. Toffoli spoiled the shutout with 1:56 to play.

Gabriel, like Ho-Sang and Bunting, is a GTA-area participant searching for regular work within the Toronto group, ideally the Leafs as an alternative of the OHL Marlies. Challenged by Brandon Braddock to field, he did fantastic whereas not lacking a step on a fourth line withMarlie warhorse Wealthy Clune and draft decide centre Semyon Der-Arguchintsev. When McNiven misplayed a puck, Gabriel had an empty web.

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