The Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews left practice early on Tuesday due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, newly acquired forward Max Pacioretty made his Leafs debut in the preseason opener, finding the back of the net.
Despite these individual highlights, the Leafs’ 6-5 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators exposed some glaring defensive issues that the team will need to address before the regular season begins.
Auston Matthews leaves practice with ‘minor injury’
Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs held their breath as Auston Matthews exited the ice early during a team practice. After about 25 minutes on the ice, Matthews made his way to the dressing room as the team switched ice surfaces. However, head coach Craig Berube stated that Matthews’ injury is “nothing serious.”
Berube described the situation as a precautionary measure, adding, “It’s just an upper-body thing. He should be fine.”
The Leafs’ preseason opener against the Ottawa Senators was a high-scoring affair that ultimately ended in a 6-5 overtime loss. While the offense was in fine form, with Max Pacioretty scoring on his debut, the defense was a different story.
Head coach Craig Berube didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s sluggish start. “In the first period, we didn’t move the puck quickly enough, which is why we ended up with only two shots on net,” he said. “We were too slow and too cute at times. We have a lot of work to do.”
Defenseman Chris Tanev echoed these sentiments, calling the first period “sloppy” and admitting that the team struggled with turnovers and positioning. “Obviously, the first period was very sloppy, a little chaotic in our end. Turnovers, not getting pucks in,” Tanev noted. “That’s the stuff we’re going to work on to build and play the way we want to—the way coach wants us to—more north-south, harder on pucks, winning more battles.”
The Leafs’ defense, featuring new pairings like Rielly-Tanev and OEL-McCabe, has a lot of work ahead as they strive to find chemistry and consistency before the regular season.
Max Pacioretty Impresses in Leafs Debut
One of the bright spots in the preseason opener was the debut of Max Pacioretty, the former Canadiens captain who was signed by Toronto this offseason. Pacioretty didn’t disappoint, finding the back of the net and contributing to the Leafs’ offense in his first game for the team.
Despite his veteran status, Pacioretty admitted to feeling nervous before the game. “I definitely felt a little nervous to start,” he revealed. “It was the most nervous I’ve felt in preseason since I was 20-years-old.”
The nerves didn’t stop there. Pacioretty shared a light-hearted moment, talking about how his wife tuned in to watch the game despite not usually watching preseason hockey. “My wife hasn’t watched a preseason game in years, but she was back home trying to figure out what channel this was on,” he said with a laugh.
Reflecting on his return to the ice, Pacioretty acknowledged the privilege of playing in the NHL. “It’s a privilege to play in this league. When it’s taken from you for a bit, you realize that sometimes you can take it for granted. Even a preseason game here, with the history of this club, made me a little nervous—and that’s a good thing.”
Ryan Reaves on Nikita Grebenkin: “A New Heavy in Town”
Another player who caught attention in the preseason opener was Nikita Grebenkin. Known for his physical play, Grebenkin made an impression on veteran forward Ryan Reaves, who had high praise for the young player. “There’s a new heavy in town. Love to see that,” Reaves said.
Reaves himself has brought a new level of toughness to the Leafs, and with Grebenkin showing similar grit, the Leafs may have a more physical edge this season—a quality they have often been criticized for lacking in previous years.
Mitch Marner opens up on love outside the rink
While the preseason opener focused on team dynamics and the start of a new chapter, Mitch Marner took a moment to reflect on his journey with the Leafs. Now entering his ninth season with the team, Marner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in Toronto and for the support of Leafs Nation.
“I mean, just thank you,” Marner said when asked what message he would send to the fans. “I think, at some point, people probably thought drafting me was a bit of a reach, with my size and all that. Looking back, it’s still funny. My wife and I always talk about how crazy it is that we’re heading into our ninth year in Toronto.”
Marner also shared how much he values the love he receives from the community. “The love you get outside the rink, around the community, is one-of-a-kind,” Marner said. “I get to see it firsthand at my charity events in the summers, and even just walking around the city. I’m very grateful and fortunate to be a Maple Leaf.”
His teammate, defenseman Jake McCabe, had nothing but praise for Marner’s character. “People probably already know this, but I think it’s worth mentioning just how great of a teammate Mitch is and how much he cares about each individual guy,” McCabe said.
As the Leafs gear up for the regular season, there are plenty of positives to take away from their preseason action. Auston Matthews’ minor injury seems manageable, and new additions like Max Pacioretty are already making an impact. However, the team’s defense remains a concern, and both players and coaches recognize that there’s a lot of work to be done.