The Toronto Maple Leafs spoiled Todd McClellan’s Detroit coaching debut with a 5-2 victory over the struggling Red Wings on Friday night, led by Mitch Marner’s third career hat trick. Marner scored twice at even strength and added a power-play goal, all within the first two periods. This offensive outburst was supported by goals from David Kampf, who celebrated his 500th career game with his first goal of the season, and Nicolas Robertson. John Tavares contributed two assists, including a dazzling behind-the-back setup, while Joseph Woll made 23 saves to secure the win.
The game marked a fresh start for the Red Wings under Todd McClellan, who replaced Derek Lalonde after GM Steve Yzerman made the coaching change on Thursday. McClellan, a seasoned NHL coach with stints in San Jose, Edmonton, and Los Angeles, faced a tough challenge as Detroit extended its losing streak to four games. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson managed third-period goals for Detroit, but it was too little too late. Cam Talbot struggled in net, allowing five goals on 21 shots before being replaced by Alex Lyon, who made two saves in relief.
The Maple Leafs demonstrated their offensive depth and resilience despite being without star forward Auston Matthews for a third straight game due to an upper-body injury. Their potent attack helped them recover from recent losses to the New York Islanders and Winnipeg, continuing a trend of scoring at least five goals in their last four wins. Tavares’ highlight assist on Marner’s first goal encapsulated Toronto’s creative and dynamic play, giving them an early 2-0 lead and setting the tone for the game.
For the Red Wings, the coaching change did not yield an immediate boost. In their previous outing under Lalonde, they suffered a 4-0 loss to St. Louis and were booed off the ice. Against Toronto, defensive lapses and goaltending struggles continued to plague the team, leaving McClellan with significant challenges to address. Detroit’s offensive spark came too late to make a difference, and the team now faces a tough stretch to turn their season around.
Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds with matchups against Washington. The Maple Leafs will host the Capitals on Saturday, seeking to maintain their offensive momentum, while the Red Wings will look to regroup and break their losing streak when they host Washington on Sunday.
