Only two teams throughout the pre-season schedule didn't lose a regulation game. Tampa Bay was undefeated and the Maple Leafs lost 2 games, but in a shootout.
"I'm very proud of the boys" said Coach Cassidy. "I was extremely impressed with guys like Sonny Milano 2 goal, 4 assists in 2 games, Evan Rodrigues 2 goal and 2 assists in 2 games. Scott Sabourin physical play mixed with a 1 goal 3 assist in 3 game performance was spectacular."
"Ryan McGregor impressed me as well with 1 goal and 3 assist in 2 games many more impressed me but that would take up too much time".
Here's alittle break down of all 6 pre-season games.
Game 1 Leafs @ Red Wings: Both GM Sean Hanley and GM Mathias Lundgren wanted to see a very physical game. Mackenzie MacEachern scored the 1st goal of the game for the Detroit Red Wings at 10:44 in the 3rd period assists went to Josh Brown and Kurtis MacDermid. Detroit thought they beat the Leafs but Nino Niederreiter found the back of the net from a gorgeous pass by veteran superstar Patrick Marleau with 4 seconds left in the 3rd period to tie the game at 1.
9 goals out of 16 shooters in the shootout with Kurtis MacDermid getting the game winner for the Detroit Red Wings.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 31 Hits, 32 faceoff wins, 12 blocked shots and 8 Penalty Minutes
Detroit Red Wings: 23 Hits, 26 faceoff wins, 13 blocked shots and 6 Penalty Minutes
Game 2 Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Leafs scored 3 power play goals Joel Hanley, Sonny Milano and Darnell Nurse. William Carrier scored 2 goals and Mitchell Stephens and Raphael Lavoie each had a goal. Assists went to William Karlsson with 2, Drake Batherson, Dylan Coghlan, Martin Necas, Mathieu Joseph and Quinton Byfield each with 1 for the Sabres.
Darnell Nurse, Joel Hanley, Mitch Marner, Sonny Milano and Zach Senyshyn each scored a goal for the Leafs while Evan Rodrigues and Sonny Milano had 2 assist, Chase Pearson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jaden Shwartz, Lucas Craggs, Mark Borowiecki and Seth Jarvis all helped out with 1 assist.
Game 3 Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Aaron Eblad, Jack Eichel, Jordan Eberle and Nicklas Backstrom each had a goal for the Sens. Drew Doughty with 3 assists, Adrian Kempe and Nicklas Backstrom each with 2 assists and Aaron Ekblad helped out with 1 apple.
Nino Niederreiter, Patrick Marleau, Ryan McGregor and Scott Sabourin each scored a goal for the Leafs and Liam Kirk with 2 assists, Alex Kerfoot, Ryan McGregor, Ryan Strome, Scott Sabourin and Trevor Moore each helped out with an assist The shootout was all Ottawa as Jordan Eberle and Nicklas Backstrom both scored.
Game 4 Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators: Evan Rodrigues scored 2 goals for the Leafs, Chase Pearson, Jaden Shwartz, Keegan Kolesar, Lucas Johansen, Seth Jarvis and Sonny Milano each scored a goal. Darnell Nurse, Jaden Shwartz, Ryan McGregor, Scott Sabourin and Sonny Milano each with 2 assists.
Chase Pearson, Joel Hanley, Liam Kirk, Lucas Johansen and Zach Senyshyn all helped out with an assist Anthony Duclair scored 2 goal and Carl Hagelin scored a goal for the sens. Jack Eichel with 2 assists, Aaron Ekblad, Brayden Schenn and Drew Doughty each recorded an assist.
Game 5 Columbus Blue Jackets @ Toronto Maple Leafs: Patric Hornqvist and Patrick Kane scored a goal for Columbus with Bryan Rust and J.T. Compher with an assist Alex Kerfoot, Mitch Marner and Ryan Strome each found the back of the net for the Leafs. Jaden Schwartz had 2 assists with Adam Pelech, Darnell Nurse and Patrick Marleau each helping out with an assist of their own
Game 6 Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Kyle Clifford, Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Strome each scored for the Leafs. Adam Larsson, Adam Pelech, Alex Kerfoot, David Savard, Mitch Marner and Pat Maroon each recorded and assist Michael Grabner scored 2 goals and Mikko Rantanen scored a goal for the Habs.
Brandon Saad, Robert Hagg, Sebastian Aho, Shea Theodore and Tyler Ennis helped out with an assist. Leafs ended the pre-season with a 4-0-2 record.
On Another Note, Toronto Maple Leafs have awarded Patrick Marleau as the Captain of the Leafs Mitch Marner and Darnell Nurse will wear the A.
"He deserves it" said Mitch Marner about Patrick Marleau. "Patty is a great leader on and off the ice and we all look up to him. He's taught me alot about about whats its like to be a professional and role model in the greatest game and I'm happy to learn from him".
Leafs look forward to seeing the outcome of the season. Could this be the year of the Leafs? I will be reporting more when the regular season begins.
Until then Im Branden Thompson from Leafs Nation News.