There were few positives to draw from Monday, but Cowan was certainly a bright spot. Cowan blocked a shot from Red Wings defenceman Simon Edvinsson during his first shift and continued to hunt down pucks throughout the game. The 20-year-old finished with three hits in 14:05 of playing time and meshed well with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews on the
first line.
“I felt like I did a good job of getting pucks, stripping guys and making plays and driving to the net hard. So obviously those are two good players. Unfortunately, didn’t come out with the two points tonight, but we’ll learn from it and keep on,” Cowan said post-game.
Knies-Matthews-Cowan outshot the Red Wings 10-0 in 10:07 at 5-on-5, where the Maple Leafs’ rookie worked tirelessly to get puck touches for his linemates. Cowan tossed a puck towards the net that Matthews gamely deflected for a scoring chance in the first period. He broke up a few dangerous scoring chances from the Red Wings as well, and he was actively jumping lanes without sacrificing defensive structure.
Cowan continued his stellar play through the second period, nearly missing the net after cutting into the offensive zone during the opening minute of the frame. He moved the puck well to support his teammates off the rush, and with sustained offensive zone time. And he was unlucky to be kept off the scoresheet entirely.
Cowan sprung Matthews for a breakaway in the third period, forcing Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot to make two terrific saves. It’s clear that Cowan’s teammates were impressed by him during his debut.
“ I thought he was great. I think he just carries himself with such a good confidence in himself and in the way that he can play and compete,” Matthews said of Cowan post-game. “I thought he played really well tonight, easy guy to play with. He made smart plays with the puck, and when plays were to be made, he made ’em. When the simple play was there to just get the puck deeper, or whatnot, I thought he made it. Thought he was really good tonight.”
“I think he did phenomenal with his puck play,” Knies said about Cowan. “That pass to Matty for that breakaway, that’s pretty elite. He did a tremendous job in every zone. I think he played simple and made some great plays, yeah he was useful for us today.”
Toronto’s top prospect has emerged as one of the team’s 12 best forwards. Cowan and the Maple Leafs will quickly have to refocus, but during a game where there were few bright spots, it’s clear that the prized rookie should get some more prominent minutes.
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