Lots of fights, lots of penalties.
And a couple more goals from Nick Robertson.
The rivalry between the Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens got a big jolt on Saturday night, this one of the preseason variety, in the Leafs’ 2-1 victory at the Bell Centre.
The Leafs, with few NHL regulars in the lineup, killed off seven Canadiens power plays and got 26 saves from Dennis Hildeby in what was a character-building performance, if there is such a thing when the games don’t count in the standings.
Desperate for more scoring, the Canadiens suffered a major blow when forward Patrik Laine departed the game in the first period, favouring his left knee following a knee-on-knee collision with the Leafs’ Cedric Pare. There was no penalty on the play, but minutes later, Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj took matters into his own hands and attacked Pare. Xhekaj got a game misconduct, among other penalties, and Robertson scored on the extended power play.
There were two other fights (though Pare was not penalized after Xhekaj went after him) and Montreal also lost defenceman David Reinbacher to injury.
Robertson picked the short side on Samuel Montembeault — off a sharp cross-ice pass from Easton Cowan — and scored his second of the game and third in two games in the third period.
This time, Robertson took a pass from Pontus Holmberg, burst down the wing and beat Cayden Primeau between the legs.
With less than two minutes to play, Kirby Dach scored for Montreal after Primeau was pulled.
“We need him to lead by example,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said of Robertson in the morning. “He’s coming off a good, solid game, he needs another one.”
For Robertson, consider it done.
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