3 takeaways from Leafs-Red Wings: Anthony Stolarz was lone standout in losing effort

Craig Berube’s post-game evaluation of Stolarz was succinct:

“Same thing you thought of him. Pretty darn good.”

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin eventually solved Stolarz, cleaning up a rebound five minutes through the third period. It was difficult to find any faults in Stolarz’s game, when the Maple Leafs allowed their goaltender to be bombarded with chances throughout the game.

“I thought it was good,” Stolarz said of his performance. “I was calm in the net. I was seeing the puck very well. I thought the guys did a great job in front of me and moving guys out and anything that was left there. They were able to whack away. So I think for me, it was just getting a full 60 minutes and just looking cool and collected in the net there.”

“He was incredible,” Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews said of Stolarz post-game. “I thought he was our best player. He made some huge saves throughout the whole game. Kept us in the lead for the first two periods. We could have done a better job there on some of those goals and clearing out some space, stuff like that.”

Easton Cowan takes accountability, set for opening night role on 4th line

Easton Cowan will almost certainly be on the opening night roster, as he continues to cement his role on the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton. Cowan played well in limited opportunities Thursday, with his ice time reduced due to a string of penalties throughout the game. He extended plays in the offensive zone and made clever reads off the rush, but Cowan focused on one key blemish post-game, where he tried to burn the Red Wings, but lost the puck. It was a minor detail, as Cowan is growing more confident by the day, and seems to have the assurances of his head coach.

“I think he didn’t really get an opportunity with all the penalties,” Berube said of Cowan post-game. “I thought it took him out of the game. I tried to get him into  the game. I tried to get him going in the third, in the middle of the line. So I think it was hard to evaluate that game. But he was like the rest of us.”

Cowan hasn’t been named to the final roster yet, as the Maple Leafs will unveil their opening night roster in the coming days, but he’s taking accountability and short of scoring during the preseason, he’s done what the team has asked of him.

“I wouldn’t say nerve-wracking,” Cowan said of what the next few days may present. “I felt like I did good things and played some of my best hockey I’ve played in a while. And that’s a good 200-foot game, generating chances. Eventually, they’re going to go in. So I’m just going to keep having that mindset and keeping it day-by-day, like I’ve been saying.”

Matthew Knies will be used as a weapon in all situations

Matthew Knies will have increased responsibilities after signing a six-year extension with the Maple Leafs in the summer, and we’re getting hints of how he’ll be deployed as an all situations weapon. Knies was used on the penalty kill last year, but it’s clear that Berube is looking to get the 22-year-old on the ice whenever possible.

Knies finished second among Leafs forwards with 18:19 played, second only to Matthews, who will be his running mate on the first line for the third consecutive season. Both top line forwards will get ample looks on the penalty kill, and Knies’ improved defensive acumen is showing throughout training camp, using his size and instincts to jump passing lanes.

It may be overly simplistic, but getting Knies on the ice whenever possible will surely benefit the Maple Leafs. And if Knies takes another leap in his defensive game, it could be another transformative season for the burgeoning power forward, whose combination of size, speed and physicality constantly overwhelms opponents.