The Key Positives from the Toronto-Montreal Preseason Game - 10/03/22

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Finally, hockey season has arrived. The Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the Montreal Canadiens, at the Bell Centre. 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: Nylander, Bunting, Marner, Robertson, Matthews, Rielly, Giordano, Holl, Brodie, Holmberg, Aston-Reese, Aube-Kubel, Kerfoot, Gaudette, Malgin, Steeves, Murray

MTL: Barron, Monahan, Xhekaj, Matheson, Leskinen, Dvorak, Gallagher, Dadonov, Slafkovsky, Dach, Belzile, Gignac, Schueneman, Hoffman, Bowey, Allen

Nylander gets Toronto on the board early

The Leafs capitalized on an early first period power play, after rookie Nick Robertson drew a hooking penalty on Jonathan Drouin. The top Leafs power play got the call, and within a matter of minutes the puck was in the back of the net.
Nylander was assisted by teammates Mitch Marner and Michael Bunting on the play. The Leafs star currently has three points, in three preseason games. 

Nylander has looked energized all throughout preseason, the Swedish forward has been flying throughout the ice and has not been afraid to shoot the puck. So far, Nylander has logged three shots-on-goal, just ten minutes into the game. 

Aston-Reese adds to Toronto lead

Aston-Reese continues to impress Leafs management, after being added to the team on a professional tryout. The former Pittsburgh Penguin is in the midst of fighting for a bottom role, within the Leafs organization.
Aston-Reese showed the urge to get to the front of the net and to create turnovers yesterday. After, a Justin Holl dump in, Aston-Reese pounced on a turnover from the Habs defense, to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. 

The New York native has played in over 200 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks. Last season, the forward played in 69 games, recording five goals and ten assists.

Slafkovsky Notches First Point

First-overall selection, Juraj Slafkovsky is on the board! The Slovakian native, assisted on Montreal's loan goal in the contest. The youngster recorded the primary assist on the Jonathan Drouin goal in the third period.

Montreal will hope that Slafkovsky will gain the confidence going into the NHL season. Slafkovsky played just over 16 minutes, recording four shots on goal.