Maple Leafs: Marner breaks ice in Wings’ new digs
DETROIT— Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock had a simple message for Mitch Marner prior to Friday night’s exhibition game against the Red Wings.
“You’ve got to go to work,” said Babcock. “If we go to work, we’re going to have more success. Don’t wait for the season. Go to work.”
Marner seemed to take the message to heart, scoring the first goal by a Leaf at Detroit’s new Little Caesars Arena.
The Maple Leafs went on to a 4-2 win over Detroit, the Leafs’ fifth victory in a row (5-2-0). They close out the pre-season against the Red Wings at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday night.
It was Marner’s first goal of a lacklustre pre-season, but his line — with Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk — had a little trouble in its own end, on the ice for both Detroit goals.
Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Leo Komarov — into an empty net — also scored for Toronto.
JOB SEARCH: Defencemen Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman took the ice as a unit, leaving Connor Carrick and Martin Marincin as healthy scratches. . . . Dominic Moore played between Matt Martin and Connor Brown, a fourth line pencilled in a long time ago. Moore has been with rotating wingers through training camp, trying to get his game legs. Martin and Brown spent most of the pre-season with Miro Aaltonen as their centre. EXTRA TOPPINGS: Little Caesars Arena replaced Joe Louis Arena as the home of the Red Wings with all the amenities a team could want, including a practice rink. For fans, there’s a wide concourse with statues of former players and homages to Red Wings history. Coach Jeff Blashill was tickled by what he called a “theatre” to review video. Asked if there was popcorn, he said: “There will be when I bring my kids in for movies.”
MARLEAU MAGIC: Leaf Nazem Kadri says playing with Patrick Marleau is not like playing with other wingers. “When he gets the puck in the corner, or open ice, sometimes (as a centre) you want to support your winger and be closer to him,” said Kadri. “Not him. You’ve got to give him some space. He’s a big strong guy who can hold guys off and beat guys one-on-one. In order for me to read off him, I have to get to areas where I can be a threat to score, because he’s going to get me the puck.” EX-LEAF WATCH: Two former Maple Leafs are trying to land jobs with the Red Wings: P-A Parenteau and David Booth.
Parenteau, 34, is here on a professional tryout after scoring 13 goals and 15 assists with New Jersey and Nashville last season. “It’s gotten better as a few games went on,” Parenteau said. “It’s not easy to be on PTO, I’ll tell you that. I’m trying to extend my career. It’s been going pretty good. I’m not bitter by any means. I’m happy to be here.”
Booth, 32, is also on a pro tryout. He played 59 games for the Leafs in 2014-15, and the last two seasons in the KHL.
“He’s worked hard and he’s strong,” Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s been physical. He’s done a good job penalty killing. We’ve got a whole group of guys who are vying for spots, and that’s just the reality of the competitiveness of the NHL.”