The Key Positives from the Toronto-Detroit Preseason Game - 10/07/22

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Finally, hockey season has arrived. The Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the Detroit Red Wings, at Little Caesars Arena. Both teams are in the midst of their preseason, and will look to make key cuts in-order to shape their rosters for opening night, later this month.

Rosters:

TOR: Sandin, Abruzzese, Gaudette, Malgin, Kokkonen, Robertson, Kral, Steeves, Shaw, Rifai, Holmberg, Ellis, Holmberg, Der-Arguchintsev, Hollowell, Clifford, Villeneuve, McMann, Simmonds, Samsonov

DET: Bertuzzi, Larkin, Seider, Raymond, Rasmussen, Edvinsson, Soderblom, Chiarot, Hronek, Erne, Vrana, Perron, Suter, Maatta, Zadina, Veleno, Lindstrom, Kubalik

Leafs Strike Early

Likewise once again, Toronto's depth has found their way on to the scoresheet. Nick Abruzzese snipped home the first of the game past Detroit's Alex Nedeljkovic. Adam Gaudette flew around the perimeter of the offensive zone, setting up Abruzzese in the slot. Defensemen, Mikko Kokkonen also recorded an assist on the play.

Just less then five minutes later Rasmus Sandin would score his first of the preseason. After, signing an extension in the midst of training camp, Sandin has looked considerably stronger at practice. The Swedish d-man, was set up by Denis Malgin and Nick Robertson. Sandin walked the line with ease, depositing a point shot, beating the netminder.

The Leafs looked strong throughout the first period, leading the game 2-1. Toronto outshot the Wings, 8-7.

2nd Period: Leafs Give Back the Lead

After, taking a 2-1 lead into the second frame, the Leafs allowed the Red Wings to tie the game 10 minutes in. Elmer Soderblom walked through numerous of the Leafs defenders, snipping a back-hander into the top corner. 

Offensively, Toronto was able to rack up 11 shots in the frame, but was unable to capitalize on any of their chances.

Although, Samsonov's save percentage isn't too pretty, the Russian netminder has been solid throughout the game. Samsonov made a clutch lateral save on Dylan Larkin, during the middle of the second. It is also worthy to note, that on both Red Wings goals, the Leafs d-man allowed the opposing team to walk into a high-danger shooting area.
To Conclude...

The Detroit Red Wings would ultimately be the only team to bury in the third period. Joe Veleno took a shot from the perimeter beating Samsonov.

Furthermore, the Leafs netminder was less than stellar tonight. Samsonov allowed three goals on 26 shots-on-goal.