TORONTO – Justin Holl scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, setting the tone for the NHL preseason schedule.
The Leafs scored on three straight shots in the first game of a doubleheader.
Alex Steeves scored twice and Denis Malgin also scored for Toronto, while Mark Giordano had three assists.
Erik Kallgren stopped seven shots in 40 minutes before giving way to Dylan Ferguson in front of the Leafs goal in the final period.
The Senators opened the scoring thanks to Tim Stützle, who outflanked Giordano before beating Kallgren with a shot into the top corner in the first.
Among the regular players present in the Toronto uniform in the afternoon, we found Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.
On the Ottawa side, Claude Giroux, Cam Talbot and Alex DeBrincat all made their debuts in their new uniforms in the afternoon.
The 5th overall pick of the 2020 draft, defenseman Jake Sanderson, was also in the first meeting.
The Senses respond in the evening
Then at 7 p.m., the Ontario rivals sent new squads onto the ice for the second game of the day.
Senators 4 – Maple Leafs 2
After a brace from Calle Jarnkrok that made it 2-0 in favor of the locals, the Senators scored four straight goals to win 4-2.
Cleared in scoring so far, the Sens saw Angus Crookshank redirect a nice pass from Scott Sabourin into the Toronto net.
Nine minutes later, Josh Norris completed a fine play from Drake Batherson and Thomas Chabot to tie the game.
The 2-2 score lasted just 22 seconds, as Mark Kastelic pounced on a loose puck to give Ottawa their first lead of the game.
After Jarnkrok hit the post in an attempt to complete his hat trick, Tyler Motte dropped the puck into a gaping cage with 20 seconds left.
Goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov was at work in the Leafs cage for the first time. He excelled, repelling 16 shots in 39:40 of play.
Toronto’s other new goalie, Matt Murray, obtained from the Sens in July, got off Saturday.
For the Sens, Anton Forsberg gave up once on 14 shots, before being replaced by Mads Sogaard, who was tested nine times, allowing one goal.
Flyers win over Bruins
The Philadelphia Flyers kicked off their preseason schedule with a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins.
It was Jackson Cates who allowed Philly to emerge victorious from this duel, thanks to a goal scored at 15:20 of the third period.
The latter’s brother, Noah, had put the Flyers on the mark by hitting the target on the power play, from the 2nd minute of play in the game.
A goal from Jakub Lauko at 12:50 of the last period had allowed the Bruins to create a momentary equality.
Felix Sandstrom stopped every 17 shots he faced, before being replaced by Tyler Grosenick halfway through.
Keith Kinkaid and Kyle Keyser stopped 14 and 13 shots respectively for Boston.
Logan Brown and the Blues have the last word
Logan Brown broke the tie late in the 3rd period with his second goal of the game to give the Blues a 5-4 win over the Arizona Coyoes.
The Blues’ first-round pick (26th overall) in 2020, Jake Neighbors also had a brace in the win in addition to registering an assist.
Former Canadian Tyler Pitlick had two assists in the Blues’ win.
The Coyotes have found the back of the net twice in as many chances on the power play thanks to Nick Ritchie and Matias Maccelli.
Barrett Hayton had three points, one goal and two assists in the Arizona camp.
Jordan Binnington gave up only once on eight shots. He shared the Blues net with Joel Hofer.
