The Toronto Maple Leafs continued to rack up victories in the preseason, as Calle Rosen’s third period power play goal gave the club a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Key Bank Center on Saturday and moved the club to a perfect 4-0 record.
Auston Matthews and Jeremy Bracco also scored, Adam Brooks had a pair of assists and as with the win in Ottawa on Wednesday, Frederik Andersen played the first two periods and Calvin Pickard the third, combining to make 33 saves for the victory.
Kyle Okposo scored a power play goal to give Buffalo the lead early in the first. Toronto responded early in the middle frame with a pair of tallies, as former Sabre Tyler Ennis fed a pass to a streaking Matthews who redirected it past Carter Hutton, and Bracco deflected a Justin Holl point shot past the Buffalo goaltender.
Jake Gardiner saw action for the first time, paired with regular defense partner Nikita Zaitsev and the combo were caught out of position late in the second on Jeff Skinner’s tying goal, but the Leafs took the lead for good midway through the third on the man advantage, as Carl Grundstrom’s work in front of the net caused Rosen’s one-timer from the point to beat Hutton.
The club is expected to make a significant cutdown to their roster on Sunday, prior to their next game against Montreal at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
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Plus / Minus for Game 4
Plus
Tyler Ennis – Another good game for the veteran playing with Matthews and Patrick Marleau. Was also showing some feistiness battling with former teammate Rasmus Ristolainen. Would be shocked if Ennis is not in the opening night lineup.
Calle Rosen – The versatile Swede is following up his excellent postseason with the Marlies with a serious bid in training camp. Rosen is much more sure of himself and making better decisions many did in his first training camp last season.
Igor Ozhiganov – Partnered with Rosen and saw a large chunk of ice time on the penalty kill, which will have to be part of his repertoire to make the club.
Andersen / Pickard – Solid goaltending once again from the Leafs starter, who is looking to get off to a better start in October than his first two years with Toronto. Pickard seems to be on the outskirts of the battle for the backup job, but he was great in the third making 14 stops.
Jeremy Bracco / Adam Brooks – Both forwards are long shots to play for the Leafs this season, but their offensive talent and a good year with the Marlies could put them on the radar and fighting for a spot on the NHL roster this time next year.
Minus
Jake Gardiner – Gardiner led the Leafs blueline in ice time with 25:37 on the night and it was his first exhibition game, but the softness in front of the net on Skinner’s goal is something we have seen all too often and will likely continue to see for the balance of his career in Toronto.
Andreas Johnsson – The winger is expected to step into the Leafs lineup with the departure of James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov and has not been as eye opening as he was during his brief NHL stint at the end of last season and during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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