Three Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 3-0 Win Over the Canadiens

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs’ takeaways, I’ll look at three key takeaways from the team’s 3-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens in their third preseason game.

While it’s too early to get excited about the team and its players, there’s nothing in the preseason thus far that would make any Toronto fan run away screaming. The team has been solid.

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Kampf, Murray, Tavares & Muzzin

Takeaway One: Matt Murray Comes Through in First Preseason Game

Obviously, two preseason games for the top two Maple Leafs’ goalies is not a season, but so far no one can complain about the efforts that Matt Murray (last night) and Ilya Samsonov (last Saturday) put up. Both have perfect performances over their first 40 minutes of the 2022-21 season. Won’t last, but their showings are good so far.

After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe noted that “To me, they (Murray and Samsonov) have been excellent — whether it is the training sessions with Curtis Sanford, the off-ice tests, training, and preparation to play in the preseason — and they have answered all the questions that have come their way so far. They have done a good job.”

Murray looked good in the net. He was sharp when he had to be; and, he seemed focused – not jumpy at all. Most of all to me, he just looked big. Being used to Jack Campbell in the next last season, Murray just fills the space so much more fully.

Going under the goalie radar, because most of the focus has been on the two top goalies, was Erik Kallgren. He’s played 60 minutes and has only given up a single goal. He looked sharp in the crease, as well.

Since the goalie position was the iffiest as the season started, so far so good. The goaltending has been solid. Even with all the injuries last night on the blue line, the goalies combined for a shutout.

Related: With Maple Leafs’ Tavares Out, Move Nylander to 2nd-Line Center

Takeaway Two: Jarnkrok and Kerfoot Play Defense? Who Knew?

When Carl Dahlstrom and Jordie Benn went down to injuries, in jumped Calle Jarnkrok and Alex Kerfoot to play defense. For two forwards who seldom if ever play on the blue line, they did amazingly good. Perhaps the Canadiens didn’t attack them enough but it sure didn’t seem as if the team lost anything with them in the game as defensemen.

When both Dahlstrom and Benn went down, during the first intermission the team got together and Keefe asked Jarnkrok and Kerfoot to step in. Why them?

As Keefe noted in the media interview, “With those two players, in particular, their skill set and the fact that both players have experience playing center.” Those were the factors that mattered insofar as their skillset went.

However, Keefe also noted that he thought that both Jarnkrok and Kerfoot displayed the kind of general attitude and approach to the game that would allow them to engage in something so radically new. As Keefe noted, “They are two selfless players. They are here to serve the team and do what they can to help. They didn’t hesitate at all when I told them they needed to play defense for me. They went out and did a job.”

Keefe was right – the two played incredibly well.

Takeaway Three: Nick Robertson Scores First Preseason Goal

Nick Roberton scored the game’s first goal. He came in from the left side and wired a seeing-eye shot past the goalie. No hesitation, just fired it home. During the remainder of the game, he continued to get good offensive chances.

Robertson was also solid throughout. Did he separate himself from other young prospects vying for a spot on the team’s roster? Probably not. For as good as he was, others were just as solid.

Alex Steeves played well and generated chances. Pontus Holmberg (who I watched during the game) also played well again. Bobby McMann’s game seemed to have some jump.

Still, in the end, Robertson scored. That’s what will separate him from the pack.

Related: FINALLY, MAPLE LEAFS’ TRAINING CAMP IS HERE: WHAT’S THE NEWS?