Canadiens’ comeback win over Maple Leafs sets stage for season opener

Article content

There’s still life in the Toronto-Montreal rivalry, but the Maple Leafs gave too much of it to the visitors on Monday night for Sheldon Keefe’s liking.

Article content

Before one of the loudest exhibition games in recent memory, a prelude to their season opener a week from Wednesday, the Canadiens came back from a two-goal hole for a 5-4 overtime win. Both teams used close to their starting lineups.

Article content

“Pre-season or not, you have a lead, you have to take care of it,” coach Keefe said. “Just a sloppy game, not taking care of the puck, being a little cute with it. You’d like to think we’re past that kind of stuff. We weren’t tonight, but we have time to get that fixed.”

The high-risk plays, bold rushes and chances created in the other direction off stymied attacks delighted one of the loudest exhibition game crowds in recent memory.

The greater availability of tickets helped draw almost 19,000 noisy fans to Scotiabank Arena and a number of stick fouls put some old-school intensity into the match between the ancient rivals. Of course, the Canadiens are wanting better results against Toronto this year after a string of missed playoffs.

Article content

Article content

Nick Suzuki’s rebound off the post early in overtime completed the rally as Montreal avoided a three-game sweep in a four-day window.

“This time of year you start ramping up and getting the competitive juices flowing,” said Toronto winger Max Domi. “We’re getting close to (real games).”

In his first hometown home game, one-time Habitant Domi was a catalyst in the midst of action.

He clicked on a William Nylander feed as he buzzed past the corner of Jake Allen’s net on their line with Nick Robertson. Domi also jumped into the fray between Robertson and ruffian Arber Xhekaj as they exchanged high sticks and slashes.

Article content

John Tavares scored twice for Toronto, including once on the power play, which will be a vital element for Toronto again this season. But both groups had some difficulty, giving up Kirby Dach’s short-handed goal late in the second period.

“I think the changes (assistant coach Guy Boucher has made to the power play) have been good,” Keefe said. “They had a lot of chances today, probably overdid it a bit on our shift lengths and at times that cost us. We were flirting with danger and that’s something we have to clean up.”

Toronto didn’t have a shot on goal until fourth-liner Ryan Reaves found Noah Gregor on a breakout. Gregor’s quick snap had Jake Allen checking his glove for a hole in the webbing.

Gregor’s goal added to his impressive array of playmaking since he signed a pro tryout contract. The former Shark, out to prove a point when they didn’t extend him a qualifying offer, could be a minimum-wage solution to alleviate some of Toronto’s cap problems as opening night approaches.

Article content

Gregor could end up as the regular winger on that energy line, augmenting big bodies Reaves and centre David Kampf.

His goal evened the score at 1-1 after Montreal struck with Domi in the box. After getting the loudest starting lineup ovation in his Toronto debut, he soon headed to a place his father Tie knew all too well in the course of a franchise penalty minute record. Sean Monahan was alone for the easy power-play goal.

Josh Anderson scored with Allen on the bench with 41 seconds.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

The No. 1 Leafs power-play unit eventually clicked when Suzuki was forced into a hook to stop Mitch Marner from scoring after Auston Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi had carved out a scoring chance. Next shift, Matthews recovered his own blocked shot and found Tavares in the crease for a tight deke.

Article content

Matthews nearly scored on a couple of short-handed rushes, though was also in his new penalty killing role with Marner on the Monahan goal.

Robertson and defenceman Mikko Kokkonen were the only other bubble players with Gregor on Monday’s roster, though the Leafs continue to keep juniors Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten and Spencer Sova, perhaps to play Thursday here against Detroit.

Kokkonen, whom Keefe called “the surprise of training camp” at the morning skate, had his chances to stick improve with injuries to John Klingberg and the greater misfortune of Conor Timmins. Leading the NHL with six pre-season points, Timmins suffered a significant lower-body injury in Montreal on Friday and will be out for weeks.

Article content

Nylander played his second game at centre, while Tavares was in the middle with Knies and Sam Lafferty. Nylander didn’t do so well on draws, but Domi, an experienced centre, stepped in a couple of times when Nylander was tossed.

With Klingberg out, Keefe gave Timothy Liljegren some early chances at the point on the top power-play unit ahead of Morgan Rielly. He had an assist and good velocity on a couple of drives before Rielly went back in. Liljegren had an even-strength helper on Tavares’s second goal.

The Leafs, who got 21 saves from Ilya Samsonov, play Detroit on Thursday, the first of a home-and-home series to end the pre-season slate.

[email protected]

Article content