“I thought he was solid. I think they were trying to run him out a couple of times, and he stood his ground,” goaltender Anthony Stolarz said of Cowan on Monday. “Made some smart decisions with the puck and created some offence. Huge congratulations to him, it’s obviously a big moment. Hopefully he starts getting his feet under him, get a little more confidence. We all know the potential is there, but I thought he looked pretty good tonight.”

Cowan’s confidence has been on display since the start of training camp, with multiple teammates noting as such throughout the ramp-up to camp.

“I feel confident. I feel like I’m ready for this, so I’m just gonna take it all in, enjoy it and have some fun,” Cowan said Sunday ahead of his debut.”

While Cowan’s spot safe as long as Steven Lorentz is out, the Leafs will have a serious decision to make if he keeps playing the way he is, especially when Scott Laughton returns from his injury. It’s a good problem to have and one the Maple Leafs seem to be content with letting him dictate what they do with the final roster spot.