2/82: Saturday, October 11 @ Detroit Red Wings

Saturday night was a stark reminder that - beyond the game - “winter is coming”. It was the 2025-26 season’s first iteration of Hockey Night in Canada.

All 32 NHL teams played and it was a action-packed night that saw some jarring scores.

If you know me, you’re well aware that I’m not the biggest fan of winter. But having that theme song to look forward to after a long week usually hits like very few songs can.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in Detroit to take on a Red Wings team that looked to bounce back from a disappointing season opener against Montreal. The Red Wings allowed the Canadiens to jump out to a 3-1 lead after the first period on Thursday night.

After 20 minutes Saturday, Toronto was in front 2-0 with goals from Calle Jarnkrok and Nicolas Roy.

Then the second period came around. Red Wings coach Todd McLellan rallied his team and they erupted with three goals in just under ten minutes of game time.

Marco Kasper and Lucas Raymond beat Anthony Stolarz before Patrick Kane found the back of the net to give the Red Wings a lead they’d hang on to. Max Domi tied it up barely three minutes into the third period before sloppy play and bad penalties cost the Leafs the game.

The game-winning goal was a power play tally from Lucas Raymond, his second of the night. Simon Edvinsson and Andrew Copp added empty-netters to make it a tilted 6-3 final score.

Complicating matters for the Leafs Saturday night was Steven Lorentz leaving the game after logging just three shifts in the first period with an injury. The Leafs were already missing Scott Laughton coming in. The Lorentz injury forced head coach Craig Berube to juggle his lines much more than he would have liked to.

A lack of shot creation also contributed to the Leafs’ lackluster night. Toronto only registered 23 shots but gave up 35, forcing Stolarz to be more active than his counterpart Cam Talbot.

Toronto looks for revenge as the two teams meet again tomorrow afternoon in Toronto. 2pm puck drop. The game was moved to earlier so there would be no overlap with the Blue Jays beginning their ALCS against the Seattle Mariners.

Go Birds! (I’m also an Eagles fan).