5 hours Ago By Field Level Media
Fraser Minten scored his first career NHL goal, Joseph Woll earned his second career shutout and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 on Wednesday. Woll made 31 saves while earning his first shutout of the season. William Nylander added a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs, who have won three in a row.
Pontus Holmberg contributed an empty-net goal, and Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had two assists as Toronto won for the sixth time in seven games. Adin Hill stopped 23 shots for the Golden Knights in the opener of a five-game road trip. Vegas has lost two in a row.
Minten scored at 8:53 of the first period from the slot on a 9-foot snap shot. Nylander worked the puck from the neutral zone to the left edge of the net behind the goal line before throwing a backhand pass in front. Minten was playing his first NHL game of the season and the fifth of his career.
Toronto's Matthew Knies went to the dressing room at 7:59 of the second period after taking a hit from Zach Whitecloud. He did not return. The Maple Leafs' Simon Benoit received a double minor roughing penalty due an ensuing skirmish, and Whitecloud received one roughing minor.
Vegas controlled much of the play in the second period but did not have many dangerous chances from 16 shots on goal in the period. The Maple Leafs took only six shots on goal in the frame. Nylander scored his 13th goal of the season on a power play at 3:01 of the third period to complete a two-on-one break with Marner.
That followed a two-on-one short-handed break by Vegas that was foiled. Whitecloud serving a hooking penalty. Holmberg scored his first of the season at 16:41 of the third period.
Toronto placed Max Domi (lower-body injury) on injured reserve on Wednesday and recalled Nikita Grebenkin from the AHL Toronto Marlies. Grebenkin made his NHL debut and had one shot on goal in 11:05 of ice time. Minten was recalled from the Marlies on Tuesday when David Kampf (lower-body injury) landed on IR.
This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission..
