Alex Newhook’s solid performance propelled the Montreal Canadiens to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 at the Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old centre scored a goal in the first period and later added an assist on a power-play marker.
Despite the loss, the Leafs had some positives in the game. One of them being the new centre Nicholas Roy, who was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Roy was tested on a new line with Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua, helping sustain offensive-zone pressure and maintain puck possession. While he didn’t record points, his strength and physical presence added balance to the team’s overall play.
Roy spoke to the media in a post game scrum and talked about playing with his new partners.
“I used the new system,” he said. “The legs are a little heavy for the first preseason, but that was long enough. I felt better.”
Toronto’s head coach, Craig Berube, spoke about the new centre in the post-game press conference.
“I was pretty happy with that Roy line,” said Berube. “With the way they play that heavy style of hockey and hang onto pucks. Pretty simple and direct.”
Another good player was the 24-year-old Nicholas Robinson, who collected three shots and a block to his name. During the game, he gave a solid performance that impressed the head coach.
“I think he has been good. I liked Nicky’s effort tonight,” said Berube. “I thought he was on things. He shot pucks, worked, and competed hard. He was heavy in his battles tonight.
The first period started with a solid balance with the shot count tilted slightly in Montreal’s favor, 3–2, reflecting a tight and cautious opening 20 minutes.
In the eighth minute, Stolarz failed to control a rebound, and Montreal’s defenceman Alexander Carrier was quick to slide the puck from the right side to Newhook, who scored for a 1–0 lead.
In the second period, the Leafs took a penalty on a roughing call to Joshua, and Montreal took advantage. Sammy Blais, from the left, passed to Sean Farrell whose shot was rebounded by goalie Anthony Stolarz out to Riley Kidney, who doubled for the 2-0 lead.
Toronto’s first goal was scored on a power play seven minutes into the middle frame, when Arber Xhekaj gave away the puck to Tavares, who cut the deficit to 2-1.
Three minutes later, Newhook found Tyler Thorpe on the right, who sent it to Lane Hutson for a powerful shot and a 3-1 Habs lead.
In the third period, the Canadiens extended their lead. Alex Belzile passed the puck to Sean Farrell, who beat back up Artur Akhtyamov, making 4-1.
In the third minute, William Nylander scored his first goal of the pre-season after a rebound, making the final score on 4-2.
Notes: Leafs’ next game is on Thursday against the Red Wings in Detroit … Goaltender Joseph Woll has taken a leave from the team while attending to a family matter … Captain Auston Matthews did not dress.