The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators finished up their preseason double header at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday, with the Leafs blowing a 2-0 third-period lead and losing 3-2 in overtime on a Shane Pinto goal. Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann scored for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby was sharp in his exhibition debut with 23 saves. Matias Maccelli had a pair of assists, and rookies Easton Cowan and Ben Danford each impressed in their second straight outing.
The Leafs dodged an injury bullet in the third period, as Matthew Knies collided with Matthews during an offensive chance. Knies left for the Toronto locker room, but soon returned none the worse for wear. The contest was the typical exhibition outing, and with the Leafs not having many roster spots up for grabs, it was more the veterans shaking off the rust than trying to make an impression.
Other than the goalies, Luke Haymes, Cowan, and Danford, the Leafs lineup was pretty much the one that will open the season in two weeks against Montreal. In spite of him being a longshot to make the NHL out of training camp, Cowan is making the best of his opportunity so far, registering a primary assist on McMann’s power play goal, being a pest, and playing with sandpaper.
“I liked Easton’s game. He did a lot of good things. He was physical, he played direct, got some opportunities on net. Overall, I liked his game,” Berube said. “ I think the conversations I had with him before camp, he is doing those things. Simplified hockey, using his speed. Obviously, he has abilities out there with making plays and things like that, which he showed me tonight. But they were the right plays at the right time, which is important. I thought that he played direct all game and he worked and hounded, back checked, did a lot of good things.”
Danford, 19, was steady and unfazed playing alongside veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson, blocking two shots and playing nearly 16 minutes in the game. The issue for both youngsters is that there are literally no spots available for them on the current Leafs roster. Cowan appears completely capable of playing in a third line role with Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy, but that might stifle his ability of becoming an impact top-six forward. The same goes for Danford, who could be selected for Team Canada at the upcoming World Juniors and could use another year of development in the OHL before turning pro.
Once Max Domi and Roy are 100% healthy, the battle will likely come down to David Kampf, Calle Jarkkrok, and Nick Robertson playing on the third or fourth line. The Leafs will carry either 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goalies, or 14 F, seven D, and two goalies if they choose to keep Michael Pezzetta up, which could mean one or two of the trio will be traded or waived.
