Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 5-1 Win Over the Canadiens

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs’ takeaways, I’ll look at three key performances in the team’s 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Although several Maple Leafs’ players stood out, in my mind three were especially worth noting in this win.

Takeaway One: Matt Murray Is Rewriting His Story

Matt Murray has been nothing but fantastic in the two preseason games he’s played. His confidence is strong, and his movement is good. He’s showing tons of ability and he looks healthy and on top of his games.

The criticism of Murray was that he’s a bigger goalie who doesn’t move well. In last night’s game, he moved well. The Canadiens took a bit of time to get untracked offensively; however, when they did they put on tons of pressure.

Goalie Matt Murray and Maple Leafs almost ready for opening night after downing Habs https://t.co/4bU0ZrvpiZ

— Canoe (@Canoe) October 4, 2022

But Murray never cracked. He had a great save in the third period on Sean Monahan’s breakaway. He also made a solid save on Mike Hoffman when the Canadiens broke in five-on-three.

Murray is finding his way in the Maple Leafs’ net. This play has to make a strong impression with his new teammates in the dressing room and on the bench. His great start has to be encouraging to his teammates.

I have to believe NHL players are not much different from fans. When their organization signed Murray after he had struggled for several seasons, you have to think they too wondered what they were getting. Now, these same Maple Leafs’ players are watching Murray make save after save. I have to believe that they, too, are starting to believe.

So far, so good. In addition to being a big body (mostly a tall body), Murray is stopping everything he’s seeing and looking confident and comfortable. If he’s for real, the Maple Leafs are sitting pretty for the regular season.

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Murray, Marner, Engvall & Aston-Reese

Takeaway Two: Nick Robertson Has a Chance to Make this Team

A large number of fans have been telling me in other posts that they think Nick Robertson is overrated and that he’ll never make this team. They hope the team trades him. Robertson is beginning to prove them wrong.

Robertson’s story was one of the big ones coming into the training camp. There was a lot of hype around Robertson, but most fans believed he would be moved to the AHL because he’s waiver-exempt.

This preseason, Robertson is living up to some of his expectations. He’s showing more skills and smarts each game. Last night was his best preseason game. He made a couple of great plays, not the least of which was on Nylander’s second goal where he made a good play and a great pass to create an easy goal for his linemate who was alone in front of the net.

Robertson also did a lot of the workhorse things his coach will notice. He backchecked and forechecked well. He didn’t avoid contact with the opposition. He pursued the puck constantly. He’ll shine during the video sessions his coaches will watch.

In short, Robertson did the things he needed to do to make his case to be on the Maple Leafs’ roster. He has the habits of an NHL player. He only played 11:34 TOI in the game and had three assists. My call is that he’ll be part of the team entering the regular season.

Related: PREDICTION: MAPLE LEAFS’ PIERRE ENGVALL WILL BE TRADED SOON

Takeaway Three: William Nylander Was (Again) the Best Player on the Ice

With John Tavares out for a few games with his oblique injury, William Nylander has stepped up. Tonight, just as he was in the first preseason game, Nylander was the best player on the ice for either team. He carried the second line and scored two great goals. Tonight, instead of generating the offense as he did in the first preseason game, he was also there to cash in on his linemates’ good plays.

What seems to be a bit different this season than last (and I know it’s only preseason) is that he’s taking ownership of the play. He’s leading. Last night, he played well with a bit of a tossed-together second line of Robertson and Alex Kerfoot (who also scored two goals himself). Although the Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Michael Bunting line had plenty of ice time and played well, Nylander’s line was the difference in the game.

Nylander is showing the offensive capabilities that sets him apart from others. He was engaged from the start of the game until the end. He doesn’t run his opponents when he’s defending, but his speed makes him tough to play against. It’s hard for an opponent to evade him. In addition, his puck pursuit was outstanding.

In short, Nylander combined his skilled playmaking ability with his great shot to help his team to last night’s win.

Related: Maple Leafs Michael Bunting Isn’t Here to Make Friends