Stolarz’s 40 saves not enough as Maple Leafs fall 3-1 to Red Wings in pre-season

By Canadian Press on October 2, 2025.

TORONTO — Anthony Stolarz was stellar with 40 saves, Auston Matthews opened the scoring with a power-play goal but it wasn’t enough as the Toronto Maple Leafs gave up three third-period goals to fall 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings in pre-season action on Thursday.

Matthews blasted a one-timer past Cam Talbot just 2:08 into the contest.

Morgan Rielly fired a point shot that was tipped by John Tavares but stopped by Talbot. Matthew Knies got the rebound and found Matthews open in the right faceoff circle for his second of the pre-season.

Dylan Larkin put Detroit on the board 5:04 into the third period to start the shift of momentum, with Alex DeBrincat later scoring the go-ahead goal with 7:32 remaining. Emmitt Finnie sealed it with 1:23 left, scoring into an empty net.

Talbot stopped 18 shots for the Red Wings (4-3-0).

Toronto (2-2-1) will close the pre-season with a visit to Detroit on Saturday. The Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens for their regular-season opener on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2025.

The Canadian Press