The Detroit Red Wings and an NHL-level Toronto Maple Leafs team took to the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night for the first of 2 exhibition games to close out the teams’ respective preseason slates.
The Red Wings dressed a roster combining NHL’ers and prospects who’ve made a good impression over the course of the first 6 exhibition games, while the Leafs dressed their NHL roster…
Tonight's lineup in Toronto. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/C3LudE7raz
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 2, 2025
The @MapleLeafs roster for tonight’s preseason game against Detroit. pic.twitter.com/27nf8d6ncn
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 2, 2025
On Thursday night, the Red Wings won a strange game. Toronto opened the scoring only 2:08 into the 1st, with Auston Matthews scoring a power play goal…
But Detroit was awarded a total of 7 power plays, including 52 seconds of 5-on-3 time and a 4:00 double-minor for high-sticking to Brandon Carlo. Detroit did not score on any of their power plays…
But the Red Wings stuck with it, in no small part due to a superb performance by Cam Talbot, and the Red Wings scored 3 3rd period goals–Dylan Larkin (from Chiarot and Finnie) scored at 5:04, Alex DeBrincat scored (from Brandsegg-Nygard) at 12:28, and Emmitt Finnie scored an empty-netter on a stretch pass from Moritz Seider at 18:37…
Finnished them off! pic.twitter.com/3QVZX1Lrvi
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
Affording Detroit a 3-1 victory. Detroit out-shot Toronto 43-20, but Anthony Stolarz was excellent, preventing the Wings from scorching Toronto with power play markers.
Stolarz’s 42nd save of the night pic.twitter.com/V7eTcc3VSs
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
1ST PERIOD: Here are the starters and official rosters, with Andrew Copp earning a turn on the Larkin-Raymond pairing, and Simon Edvinsson returning from injury:

Live in Toronto!
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 2, 2025
💻 https://t.co/eAGB1TKngy
📱 https://t.co/Dw86gvRJ0p pic.twitter.com/8V4EbDI6mm
Toronto came out fast and furious…
early chance for Nylander pic.twitter.com/VQ1KETxOPt
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
PENALTY: Mason Appleton sat for holding at 2:02 of the 1st period.
GOAL: Auston Matthews took a faceoff to the point, the puck went off Knies to Matthews, and the Leafs took a 3-on-2 and converted it into a Matthews one-timer goal at 2:07.
Matthews from Knies and Tavares. TORONTO 1, DETROIT 0.
The Captain delivers!
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) October 2, 2025
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/d6Lb9GORTu
Two goals in two preseason games for AM34 ✌️ pic.twitter.com/1744sTqbk1
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 2, 2025
Auston Matthews converts on the power play 🚨 pic.twitter.com/W4S4E4LtIV
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
The Wings’ lines were:
Copp-Larkin-Raymond
Brandsegg-Nygard-Kasper-DeBrincat
Soderblom-Rasmussen-Appleton
Finnie-Bergren (no 12th forward)
Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Johansson
Gustafsson-Hamonic
Sandin Pellikka
The Wings’ first real scoring chance came from Marco Kasper, who jabbed a slot pass from Albert Johansson into Stolarz while Michael Brandsegg-Nygard battled a Leaf defender in the slot at 6:28.
Great shift. Cat gets it to MBN who gets it to AlJo who finds Kasper jumping in from the blue line after covering for him. Good chance. Great puck movement. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/p1cfaIm4Xo
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 2, 2025
PENALTY: Dylan Larkin was called for cross-checking William Nylander at 12:46 of the 1st.
Larkin to the box pic.twitter.com/reOysg98B2
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
Chiarot introduces himself to “cowboy” #LGRW pic.twitter.com/CTvF5LqtSn
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 2, 2025
PENALTY: Bobby McMann was called for holding at 14:45 of the 1st.
The Red Wings’ power play didn’t generate too many chances, and instead, Cam Talbot stopped a Matthew Knies shorthanded breakaway…
Matthews-Knies PK unit pic.twitter.com/bCSOUWmFhS
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
Good defensive stick by MBN and then he shows off his heavy shot. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/0gTxgoIJn5
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 2, 2025
And when Lucas Raymond got bumped into Stolarz, Morgan Rielly tried to start a fight with him at 18:08.
PENALTIES: Raymond for goaltender interference, Rielly for roughing at 18:08.
The Leafs actually did a better job territorially speaking on the 4-on-4, but Seider stripped Matthews very well, and after Simon Edvinsson smoked Matthew Knies on the left side of the ice, Edvinsson got clipped in the chin by a Knies elbow, and drew a penalty.
PENALTY: Knies for “illegal check to the head” at 20:00 1st.
Knies is called for elbowing pic.twitter.com/67f4hmaWSU
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
Ugly elbow on Edvinsson #LGRW pic.twitter.com/929m8xYeG2
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 2, 2025
After the first frame pic.twitter.com/MrsTjMfY2R
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 2, 2025
1st period stats:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 2, 2025
Shots 9-7 Detroit;
Toronto 1-for-2 in 2:05 PP time; Detroit 0-for-1 in 1:59.
Shot attempts 25-16 Detroit;
Hits 11-10 Detroit;
Giveaways 1-1;
Takeaways 1-0 Toronto;
Blocks 7-6 Toronto;
Faceoffs 13-8 Detroit (62%). pic.twitter.com/qxOeB56gxW
2ND PERIOD: Detroit began the period on the power play.
Sandin Pellikka was used on the right flank this time.
PENALTY: Brandon Carlo was called for 4:00 of high-sticking for clipping Lucas Raymond’s mouth, giving Detroit 53 seconds of 5-on-3 time.
four-minute penalty pic.twitter.com/Y1PcPJuLQn
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
Detroit did not score on the 5-on-3, though Larkin, DeBrincat and Sandin Pellikka all earned great chances.
Stolarz save with style pic.twitter.com/ZRlQxq9PQ7
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
Detroit had some BEAUTIFUL looks on the 5-on-3 and 5-on-4, but they did not score. Stolarz was great and the Wings didn’t screen him enough.
Stolarz swats the puck away with the blocker pic.twitter.com/RiineOI0AO
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
Detroit was 0-for-4 on the PP, with a 9-0 shot lead in the 2nd period; Toronto 1-for-1.
PENALTY: Matthew Knies got called for slashing at 6:29, affording Detroit another power play.
Knies to the box again pic.twitter.com/zgggRUvq8m
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
Edvinsson with the initial shot and Finnie and Berggren can’t put it home. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/PgrTkyMZcJ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Emmitt Finnie gets robbed by Anthony Stolarz who’s been honestly sensational tonight#LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/qmpkiMOQ3P
— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) October 3, 2025
Good pass from Söderblom to but it’s to Ras no dice. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/WQbUByqTLZ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
ASP shot tipped by Kasper pic.twitter.com/eRfwzI3Fq5
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Beautiful strip by Finnie who sets up Berggren for a chance and Kasper rebound opportunity pic.twitter.com/lwIDGHSRHN
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Stolarz and the Leafs’ defense kept Detroit off the scoreboard, but the shots were 13-1 by 10:20 of the 2nd period, 21-9 Detroit overall.
Headed to 3 pic.twitter.com/OgTxIhOS8x
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
2nd period stats:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 3, 2025
Shots 19-4 Detroit, shots 24-12 Detroit overall.
Detroit 0-for-6 in 9:03 of PP time; Toronto 1-for-2 in 2:05.
Shot attempts 65-23 Detroit;
Hits 21-17 Detroit;
Giveaways 3-2 Toronto;
Takeaways 2-0 Toronto;
Blocks 16-9 Toronto;
Faceoffs 22-16 Detroit. pic.twitter.com/Kmz07L0pkn
3RD PERIOD:
PENALTY: Detroit was called for “too many men” at 1:59. It was a bit ticky-tack, but the refs were looking for an even-up.
Toronto headed to the power play, and Detroit killed it.
GOAL: Dylan Larkin tipped down a Ben Chiarot shot in the slot vs. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and then hacked the rebound in past Stolarz to make it 1-1 at 5:03 of the 3rd.
TORONTO 1, DETROIT 1. Larkin from Chiarot and Finnie @ 5:03.
LARKS! 1-1 GAME! pic.twitter.com/si0PvhEJHV
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
Larkin ties it
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) October 3, 2025
📽️: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/zhF8rMJh9J
Larkin 🚨 1-1 from chiarot and Finnie #LGRW pic.twitter.com/qXVilJNgVw
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Dylan Larkin ties it pic.twitter.com/wj3dzhmgII
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
CAP 🫡 pic.twitter.com/e93Hiva4QV
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
PENALTY: Nic Roy was called for hooking at 5:37, affording Detroit another power play.
The Wings did not score (again), but after the PP expired…
Asp chance on PP from earlier pic.twitter.com/1mfDWymQcQ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Great pass by Finnie but Ed misses the net. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/dbt1FkR5Oh
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
rush, shoot and slide for Cowan pic.twitter.com/184hcaQtgm
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
GOAL: Alex DeBrincat centered the puck to Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Stolarz tried to clear the puck, and the rebound went to DeBrincat, who jammed home the rebound at 12:28 of the 3rd period.
TORONTO 1 DETROIT 2, DeBrincat from Brandsegg-Nygard at 12:28.
CAT! 2-1, #REDWINGS! pic.twitter.com/sEfB9Zy1IS
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
Debrincat 🚨 2-1 good pass by MBN to just put it into an area. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/N13bCZ4Jf7
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Alex DeBrincat gives Detroit the lead pic.twitter.com/ZQxsBV3xUv
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 3, 2025
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
GOALIE PULL: Stolarz headed to the bench with 1:47 left in the 3rd…
EMPTY-NET GOAL: Emmitt Finnie skated up on the empty net, was blocked once by Auston Matthews, but chipped the rebound into the empty net at 18:37 from Moritz Seider’s stretch pass.
TORONTO 1, DETROIT 3. Finnie from Seider (empty net) at 18:37 3rd.
GOALIE PULL: Toronto pulled Stolarz again…BUT DETROIT stifled Toronto and won.
FINNIE EMPTY-NETTER! pic.twitter.com/bMNINTdlPq
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
Finnie EN 🚨 3-1. Blouses #LGRW pic.twitter.com/czKu1p5wYZ
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) October 3, 2025
Finnished them off! pic.twitter.com/3QVZX1Lrvi
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
Another preseason W! pic.twitter.com/ThYNbSxhW5
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2025
3 goal 3rd period for Detroit.
— Ken Kal (@KenKalDRW) October 3, 2025
Solid effort all game.
Final Detroit 3. Toronto. 1 pic.twitter.com/kjvGATDQtA
STATISTICS: Here are the Game Summary and Event Summary:


FINAL STATS from Detroit's 3-1 win over Toronto:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 3, 2025
Shots in the 3rd 15-8 Detroit, shots 43-20 Detroit overall.
Detroit 0-for-7 on the PP in 11:03; Toronto 1-for-3 in 4:05.
Goals: Larkin (2) from Chiarot (2) and Finnie (2);
DeBrincat (1) from Brandsegg-Nygard (1);
Finnie (2)… pic.twitter.com/ObrSnqxg0Z
Individual statistical highlights:
— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 3, 2025
1G for Larkin, DeBrincat; 1G 1A Finnie; 1A for Chiarot, Brandsegg-Nygard, Seider.
Detroit was +15. Chiarot, Raymond, Seider, Finnie, Larkin +2.
6 shots and 8 attempts for Kasper; 5 shots and 7 attempts for DeBrincat; 4 shots for Chiarot,… https://t.co/rnoh3VDpIC
HIGHLIGHTS: From Sportsnet:
Finnie has to make the team at this point, right?
Wish there was a way to get rid of Compher. Wouldn’t mind if Rasmussen was traded for a bag of pucks either. There’s much better young talent in this organization to waste spots on those guys.