For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
The battle for roster spots was made only slightly clearer after the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City on Wednesday.
With a lineup consisting of fourth line and bottom pairing candidates, along with many destined for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs rebounded from a 2-0 first period deficit with three goals from Connor Carrick, Martin Marincin and Andreas Borgman in the middle frame and a third period insurance marker from Andreas Johnsson to beat the struggling Habs for their fourth straight pre-season win.
Leafs goal pic.twitter.com/1eKUAmL7Hr
— steph (@myregularface) September 28, 2017
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, was pleased with the performance of those fighting for jobs, who have two more pre-season games make an impression before the final cuts are made.
“These guys here are working for jobs and they’re trying to send a message. They know their time is running out and I thought they worked real hard.… Babcock said after the game. “Give the guys credit, they’re (making our decision) hard. We just went through our ratings there, it was clear as mud again. We don’t have a clue what we’re doing, so we’ll keep going.…
In the fourth line center battle, Miro Aaltonen was caught out of position on Jonathan Drouin’s opening goal and had a tough time handling the Habs top center, while veterans Dominic Moore and Eric Fehr put in solid performances.
The top performance on defense was Swedish rookie Andreas Borgman, who showed off his offensive skills with a nice rush on a Toronto power play and the game-winning goal in the second period.
Andreas Borgman 1st Goal of the Pre-Season! (Audio Replaced w/ @BonsieTweets & @Jim_Ralph) https://t.co/MosBOKoY2F #BringBackBowen #TMLtalk
— Goal Leafs Goal (@Goal_Leafs_Goal) September 28, 2017
Rookie Travis Dermott may have guaranteed starting the season in the AHL, as he was on the ice for both Drouin and Andrew Shaw’s goals.
At the Mastercard Centre in Etobicoke on Thursday, Dermott did not participate in practice, but Borgman and fellow Swede Calle Rosen skated on one pair, while Martin Marincin partnered with Connor Carrick.
With back-to-back games against Detroit to cap off the pre-season, the Leafs are expected to go with a more veteran lineup at the new Little Caesar’s Arena on Friday.
Veteran blueliner Roman Polak, who has not seen game action since agreeing to a professional tryout on September 14, will play in the final exhibition game at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday.
******* In his “31 Thoughts… column, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that clarification on Joffrey Lupul’s health status is expected before the start of the regular season.
The 33-year-old Lupul made intimations via Instagram that his failed Leafs team physical was not on the level, but quickly recanted and removed the comments. The NHL called for an independent evaluation of the veteran winger’s readiness, but Friedman indicates that “there doesn’t seem to be a lot of worry among interested parties that Lupul will pass his physical and be forced onto Toronto’s roster.…
*******
Very happy to announce that myself and CTV’s Norman James will be back talking Leafs once again. “The Leafs Convo… will make it’s season debut on Tuesday, October 3rd and will appear every two weeks on this column.
We will have other panel discussions and interviews on a regular basis as well, including a monthly appearance from former Leafs Assistant GM and player agent Bill Watters.
Here is the first interview with Bill and myself, discussing the summer moves made by Toronto, the battles for roster spots and the future of Lou Lamoriello:
*******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.*******