This game was a flipped script from the preceding night when it was the Leafs with their B-team against the Wings’ A-team. Outside of possibly Nick Robertson, Toronto iced what is likely to be their opening night roster, while Detroit’s lineup contained only a handful of players likely to see time in the NHL this season. That imbalance was reflected on the scoreboard throughout the night, but not quite at the jump.
Towards the midway point of the first period, the Leafs‘ PP flashed good puck movement but was unable to score before Detroit responded by striking first.