The Maple Leafs lineup in their 5-2 loss to the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit closely resembles the group that will suit up in Montreal next Tuesday and in spite of the contest being their seventh exhibition game in two weeks, there were some warning signs for the club for a season with high expectations.
Toronto’s lax defensive play allowed the Wings to outshot them 37-19, burdening goalie Jonathan Bernier to keep the Leafs in the game, which he was able to until Henrik Zetterberg’s tally with under a minute left in the middle frame began a string of three unanswered goals that were the difference in the game.
Defenseman Jake Gardiner, who is expected to a key cog on the Leafs blueline this season, assisted on both Toronto goals but neutralized those positives with questionable defensive play. On Joakim Andersson’s opening goal, Gardiner was unable to clear the Detroit forward from the front of the net, which resulted in a screened Bernier and the game’s opening goal.
The Leafs penalty killing, which finished second in the NHL last season, allowed three Detroit power-play goals to Zetterberg, Daniel Alfredsson and Johan Franzen on four short-handed opportunities.
Defenseman Cody Franson saw his first pre-season action, playing over 21 minutes paired mostly with Gardiner, who was his blueline partner for most of the Boston playoff series due to injury.
More curious than the lineup choices Coach Randy Carlyle made for the first game of the home-and-home series with the Wings, were the omissions. Rookie Morgan Rielly did not suit up for only the second time in the eight-game schedule, while blueliners John-Michael Liles and Korbinian Holzer, who have played only twice during the pre-season were scratches. Center Joe Colborne, who appears to be losing the battle with Carter Ashton for a bottom six role on the club, also did not see action.
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According to Leafs TV's Paul Hendrick, the Leafs will dress a decidedly younger lineup for the finale of the home-and-home with Detroit Saturday night at the ACC. James Reimer will start in goal, but the forwards and defensive corps look more like the opening lineup for the Toronto Marlies than the Leafs:
Forwards
Jerry D'Amigo-Trevor Smith-Troy Bodie
David Broll-Dave Bolland-Spencer Abbott
Carter Ashton-Joe Colborne-Josh Leivo
Jamie Devane-Greg McKegg-Colton Orr
Defense
Morgan Rielly-John-Michael Liles
Andrew Macwilliam-Cody Franson
Stuart Percy-Korbinian Holzer
Goaltender
James Riemer
Drew Macintyre
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