For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page. *******
The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to get the same end result but put forth a more complete effort in the second of their three-game homestand against the Minnesota Wild at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.
The Leafs were able to come back from two-goal deficits twice against the Montreal Canadiens and win 6-5 in a shootout, but that will be more difficult against a Minnesota club that was sixth in the NHL in goals against last season and opened the season with a 2-0 shutout of Florida on Thursday.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe will not make any changes in the lineup from Wednesday. Tyler Bertuzzi was very effective in his first game with linemates Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but could not cash in on numerous excellent scoring chances. Matthews on the other hand, was in mid-season form, scoring his 300th goal and scoring twice with the extra attacker to erase Montreal’s 5-3 lead late in regulation.
Max Domi had his moments alongside John Tavares and William Nylander but was not on the ice in the final six minutes of regulation when the Leafs shortened the bench. Rookies Fraser Minten and Matthew Knies will skate alongside veteran Calle Jarnkrok, and former Wild enforcer Ryan Reaves will be on the fourth line with David Kampf and Noah Gregor.
With thousands in Toronto preparing to run @TOwaterfront42k, inspiration can be drawn from #leafs David Kà¤mpf.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 14, 2023
Kà¤mpf recently ran his first half in 1:37:48.
"I was thinking about going 1:50. ... The last 5 KM it really hit me and it was brutal. It was tough. But it was fun." pic.twitter.com/1SY5DNhqS9
Keefe will be looking for fewer mistakes from his blueline, which made two fatal errors that resulted in goals on Wednesday. John Klingberg had an impressive debut, with two assists in more than 24 minutes of ice time, as well as quarterbacking the Leafs power play.
Klingberg will partner once again with Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly will pair with TJ Brodie, and Timothy Liljegren will skate with veteran Mark Giordano.
Ilya Samsonov looks to bounce back from surrendering five against the Habs in his second start, which could mean that Joseph Woll will go on Monday against Chicago, and Filip Gustavsson will start for the Wild.
Easton Cowan was key in two shorthanded goals tonight in the London Knights' 8-1 win against the Kingston Frontenacs. Buried the first one himself and set up his running mate Denver Barkey for the second.
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) October 14, 2023
Totals (OHL): 2 GP, 2 G, 3 PTS, +3, 35.7% FOW#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/ssgRtt8ajq
*******
Please Subscribe to the Off The Post page on YouTube