Leafs make Jets look bad with 7-2 thrashing on opening night
WINNIPEG (CP) — Patrick Marleau’s birth certificate may say he’s 38 years old, but Toronto’s veteran free agent was feeling young and energized on Wednesday.
Marleau scored twice and added an assist in his Maple Leafs debut as Toronto cruised to a 7-2 rout of the Winnipeg Jets in the season opener for both teams.
His first goal began with youngster Mitch Marner passing up to sophomore Auston Matthews, who passed it across to Marleau in the high slot. The veteran kicked the puck up to his skate and went in alone on Steve Mason, deking before scoring the 509th goal of his career to make it 4-0 for the Maple Leafs.
“You can see how hungry they are out there, not only in games but in practice,” Marleau said of Matthews and Marner. “They’re striving to get better each and every day, and you want to be part of that and you can feed off that for sure.”
Marleau spent the first 19 seasons of his NHL career with the San Jose Sharks, signing a three-year contract with Toronto on July 2.
Mason was pulled after Marleau’s second goal 36 seconds into the third period, the Jets goalie having allowed five goals on 20 shots. Connor Hellebuyck stopped nine of the 11 shots he faced in relief.
“Five was enough,” Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice said of the timing to pull Mason. “He’s going to have a couple he’d like to have back, but there wasn’t anything you’re looking at saying, ‘My god, how did he miss that?’”
OILERS 3, FLAMES 0
EDMONTON — Connor McDavid had a hat-trick as the Oilers defeated the rival Calgary Flames 3-0 on Wednesday in Edmonton’s home opener.
Cam Talbot made 26 saves for the shutout in net for the Oilers.
Mike Smith made 42 saves in his debut for the Flames, who are 0-7-1 in their last eight season openers.
McDavid opened scoring 11 minutes into the first on a setup from Leon Draisaitl.
Edmonton went up 2-0 eight minutes into the third period as McDavid scored on a breakaway. His third goal of the game was into an empty net on another feed from Draisaitl.