The Toronto Maple Leafs triumphed over the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Friday night, marking a special night for Mitch Marner, who secured his third career hat trick. Marner scored twice at even strength and once on the power play during the first two periods, leading Toronto’s offensive surge. Supporting him, David Kampf celebrated his 500th NHL game with his first goal of the season, and Nicolas Robertson added a goal of his own. John Tavares provided two assists, including a remarkable setup for Marner’s opening goal, and goaltender Joseph Woll made 23 saves to seal the victory.
The game was also notable as it marked Todd McLellan’s debut as Detroit’s head coach after GM Steve Yzerman dismissed Derek Lalonde earlier in the week. Despite the coaching change, the Red Wings continued their struggles, extending their losing streak to four games. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson scored in the third period for Detroit, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Toronto’s dominance. Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot was pulled after allowing five goals on 21 shots, with Alex Lyon stepping in for the third period and making two saves.
Toronto’s high-powered offense proved critical in bouncing back from consecutive losses to the New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets. The team’s ability to score at least five goals in their last four victories highlighted their firepower, even in the absence of star forward Auston Matthews, who missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Detroit’s woes deepened, as their performance under McLellan showed little improvement from Lalonde’s tenure, including the 4-0 loss to St. Louis earlier in the week.
One of the key moments of the game came from Tavares, who delivered a dazzling behind-the-back, between-the-legs assist to set up Marner’s first goal. The play exemplified Toronto’s creativity and control, helping to establish a commanding 2-0 lead early in the first period. Tavares’ consistency against Detroit also stood out, as he now boasts 54 points in 39 career games against the Red Wings.
Looking ahead, both teams will face Washington in their next games, with Toronto hosting on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. While the Maple Leafs aim to sustain their offensive momentum, the Red Wings hope for a much-needed turnaround under McLellan to break their losing streak.
