Toronto Maple Leafs forward Fraser Minten reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at Scotiabank Arena.John E. Sokolowski/Reuters
It didn’t take Fraser Minten long to score his first NHL goal in his second incarnation with the Maple Leafs.
The 20-year-old centre, who was pointless in four games for Toronto at the start of last season, snapped a puck past Vegas goalie Adin Hill a little more than midway through the first period in what turned out to be a 3-0 victory at Scotiabank Arena.
With the win, the Maple Leafs moved past the Florida Panthers into first place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division. It was their third consecutive win over a quality opponent after overtime triumphs over the Washington Capitals eight days ago and the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
The Maple Leafs limped into the game with four forwards out due to injury and one on suspension but they persevered. Joseph Woll had 31 saves in the win, and William Nylander netted his team-leading 13th goal on a power play early in the third period. Pontus Holmberg finished the scoring with an empty-netter with 3:19 to go.
It was the seventh straight contest Toronto played without Auston Matthews. The star centre is in Germany with a team doctor to see a specialist for an undisclosed upper-body injury. In addition, Max Domi was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday due to a lower-body issue.
“He needs time off to get healthy,” head coach Craig Berube said earlier in the day. “He practiced yesterday but wasn’t doing well. He wants to play but sometimes you have to step in and do what is best for the player.”
Domi has been labouring and has yet to score and has not registered an assist in 13 games.
On Tuesday the club placed David Kampf on injured reserve with a lower body injury, and Calle Jarnkrok underwent groin and sports hernia surgery.
Ryan Reaves was serving the first of a five-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of Edmonton defenceman Darnell Nurse on Saturday night. During the second period a fan held up a “Free Revo” sign to protest the suspension.
“It might be the most players we have had out in a long time but we’ll battle through,” Nylander said. He recorded an assist on Minten’s goal.
To fill some holes, the Maple Leafs called up left wing Nikita Grebenkin from the American Hockey League Marlies, where he had four goals and six assists in 13 games. Grebenkin took a rookie’s customary solo lap during pregame warm-ups and was credited with four hits and one blocked shot.
“The guys told me early in the day not to worry and just enjoy it,” Grebenkin, 21, said. “I waited a long time to get a win the NHL.”
Asked if he liked the pace and the hard checking, Grebenkin smiled broadly.
“The team gave me back checking, forechecking and a paycheque.”
The club also recalled Minten from the Marlies, where he had two goals and four points in four games. After an impressive training camp, he began last season with the Maple Leafs but was sent back to the Western Hockey League after four outings.
“I’m still green to this league,” Minten said. “It’s still new to me. It was fun. I am more confident this time for sure. I feel I can fit in and be more effective.”
Berube was not concerned at having young players in the lineup.
“I don’t mind it at all,” Berube said. “I think both have a bright future.”
It was Pride Night at the arena and before the start, the Maple Leafs honoured the Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts. Pinball Clemons, looking as if he could still suit up, made the ceremonial puck drop.
Gradey Dick, the Raptors guard, was also in the audience and was given two cupcakes to celebrate his 21st birthday.
It was a chippy and entertaining affair with an abundance of hard hits and pushing and shoving around the nets. Toronto’s Simon Benoit came to the defence of Matthew Knies in the second period after the latter was laid out by Zach Whitecloud. Knies did not return to the game.
At one point the generally mild-mannered John Tavares pinned Vegas rookie Alexander Holtz to the ice with a nifty wrestling-style takedown.
Mitch Marner had two assists, as did Tavares. Toronto helped Woll by blocking 26 shots, with four by Steven Lorentz. Benoit was credited with eight hits.
The Leafs shut down Vegas centre Jack Eichel, who entered the night second in the league to Nathan MacKinnon (27) with 23 assists and tied for fifth with 28 points. MacKinnon is also the points leader with 34.
The Golden Knights, who have one of the best power-play units in the league, went 0-for-3 with the man advantage. Hill stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced.
“We played hard,” Berube said. “We were resilient and battled. I thought our guys did a real good job with the physicality part and grinded it out.”