Mason Appleton emerged as the hero for the Detroit Red Wings, scoring the game-winner with just 44.1 seconds left in regulation during a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday afternoon. With this win, the Red Wings improved their record to 2-1-0, while the Maple Leafs fell to 1-2-0 for the season.
The game took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, where the Red Wings displayed resilience after relinquishing a two-goal lead in the third period. Goaltender Cam Talbot was a key contributor, making a remarkable 38 saves to keep Detroit in the game. Dylan Larkin and James van Riemsdyk also chipped in with goals for Detroit, underscoring their offensive depth.
Toronto fought back with notable efforts from Matthew Knies, who recorded a goal and an assist, alongside Calle Jarnkrok, who netted the second goal for the Leafs. Goalie Anthony Stolarz had a tough outing, stopping only 12 shots as he faced a relentless Red Wings offense.
This matchup was a continuation of an intense rivalry, as the Red Wings previously defeated the Maple Leafs 6-3 on Saturday. In that game, Toronto jumped to an early 2-0 lead, but Detroit made a strong comeback that included two late empty-net goals. The resilience shown by the Red Wings in both encounters highlighted their determination to reclaim their competitive edge within the league.
The scoring in this latest game began late in the first period when Larkin managed to navigate through a crowded crease and executed a backhand shot that found its way past Stolarz, just as Detroit's 5-on-3 power play concluded. The lead extended early in the third period when van Riemsdyk broke free on a partial breakaway and hit the net, putting the Red Wings firmly in control at 2-0.
However, the Maple Leafs refused to back down. Following van Riemsdyk's goal, Knies responded for Toronto, leveraging his recent form to help the team regain momentum. Jarnkrok then followed suit with a goal that ultimately tied the game. It was during this tense atmosphere that Appleton stepped up, scoring crucially late in the game after having previously been denied by Stolarz during the same shift.
In an engaging atmosphere, Toronto fans were encouraged to stay for a viewing of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, adding to the excitement of the day at the arena.
On the player front, the game marked the NHL debut for rookie winger Easton Cowan, who was selected 28th overall in the 2023 draft and is highly regarded as one of the top prospects in the Maple Leafs organization. His debut adds to the storyline of a team looking to blend youth with experience as they aim to improve their standings.
From the coaching side, Red Wings' head coach Todd McLellan's frank criticisms following a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener seemed to yield positive results, as his team bounced back impressively against last season's Atlantic Division champions.
As for noteworthy statistics, Detroit winger Patrick Kane is closing in on a significant milestone, needing just two points to tie former Toronto captain Mats Sundin for 31st place on the NHL’s all-time points list, with a total of 1,349 points.
Looking ahead, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, while the Detroit Red Wings are set to face off against the Florida Panthers at home on Wednesday. These upcoming games will be crucial for both teams as they strive to build momentum early in the season.
