Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs got a scare in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night when star forward William Nylander left the game midway through the first period after taking a hit to the head.
He was held out for the rest of the game for what the team called “precautionary reasons.” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Nylander had avoided serious injury and would be fine.
“Willy will be fine,” Berube said. “Nothing to worry about.”
Nylander was the latest Maple Leafs star to suffer an injury scare, as Auston Matthews left practice this week with what Berube deemed an upper body ailment. Matthews did not play on Thursday.
John Tavares and Nick Robertson scored for Toronto in the Maple Leafs’ first preseason win. Christian Dvorak paid for Montreal.
The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 33-17.
Nylander was tripped in the neutral zone and hit in the head by a passing Montreal player as he fell. The 27-year-old went straight to the dressing room after the game.
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Tavares opened the scoring midway through the 10:12 mark of the first period by tipping home a deft touchdown pass from Mitch Marner. It was Tavares’ fourth point in two games.
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“There were better sides to our game,” Tavares said. “The way we played, the three zones, we were a bit more connected. The pace of our game was better. Move the puck better.
“I liked the way we were coming in on the forecheck.”
Dvorak pulled Montreal even at 5:39 of the second period after taking advantage of a slick feed from Alexandre Barre-Boulet at the Toronto blue line.
Dvorak held off Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly and took the puck between the legs of goalie Anthony Stolarz.
Robertson got two off later in the period but both were turned aside by Montreal netminder Jakub Dobes.
Ultimately, Robertson capitalized with the winner at 18:04. He took the puck off Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom, drawing a penalty in the process, and beat Dobes between the legs.
“Heck of a play,” said Maple Leafs forward Steven Lorenz. “That’s just hard work, not giving up on a play. And it shows maturity for a young man like him. Get on the backcheck and strip the guy, get in and on the first three steps get some separation and get a great shot on the guy’s five hole.
“I get tired just watching it. He’s a good little player.”
Matt Murray took over for Stolarz in the third period for his first game since suffering a hip injury on April 4, 2023. He stopped all seven shots he faced.
“He’s had a good summer, a healthy summer,” Berube said of Murray. “He was able to train and do the things he needs to do. You know, this guy has won a couple (Stanley) Cups. He knows how to win. He is a good goalkeeper.
“So, I think it’s progressed from the summer to camping here now. He looked firm. He’s a big guy, takes up a lot of net.”
Stolarz had nine saves and Dobes made 32 stops.
COMING UP
The Maple Leafs and the Canadiens will face each other again on Saturday in Montreal.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on September 26, 2024.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10777984/nylander-injured-in-maple-leafs-2-1-win/
