RECAP: Red Wings shut out by Maple Leafs in preseason action, 2-0

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings were held off the scoreboard for the first time this preseason on Thursday night, falling 2-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Little Caesars Arena.

Goalie Cam Tablot, who signed a two-year free-agent contract with Detroit this offseason, made 23 saves. Anthony Stolarz stopped all 30 shots he faced between the pipes for the Maple Leafs, who will host the Red Wings in the exhibition finale for both clubs on Saturday night.

"I thought they played pretty well in front of me tonight," Talbot said. "Obviously just couldn't bury it at the other end, but sometimes the other goalie makes some big saves. I liked our game tonight. We'll look over it tomorrow, learn from it, continue to build for the last two [preseason games] and get ready to go in a week."

Despite the loss, head coach Derek Lalonde said he was encouraged by Detroit's defensive structure.

"That's an important part of what we're trying to accomplish," Lalonde said. "All of our bigger structure. We'll look back at that game and grade that out. There were some mishaps. Even watching between periods, a couple of those really good looks they had started with puck play more than structure."

Toronto took a 1-0 lead on a power play at 17:54 of the first period. Easton Cowen made a pass from the left face-off circle to Nicholas Robertson, who ripped a wrister home from the right face-off circle.

The Red Wings and Maple Leafs skated to a scoreless second period, also finishing even in shot attempts (17-17) through two frames.

Robertson netted his second goal of the night at 14:34 of the third period for the 2-0 final.

Detroit went 0-for-4 on the man advantage, while Toronto was 1-for-5. According to Lalonde, the Red Wings' power play could benefit from a little more puck movement.

"As long as your power play is creating looks and getting good touches, it helps the momentum," Lalonde said. "We had good looks and some good movement in the third, and it created some momentum for the period. We just weren't able to score. Still a work in progress. We'll have another look tomorrow with some different looks, but obviously we want more out of that power play going into next week."

NEXT UP: Detroit will play its final preseason home game on Friday night, hosting the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Lalonde on his thoughts and observations from Thursday's game

"A little different than the Pittsburgh game at home the other night, with a lot of our established NHLers in that we probably had a little more compete in our game. It's hockey 101. The last three games have all been the same. You get a young group that's just not giving you easy offense, they're taking care of the middle of the ice, not giving you anything on the rush and the guys get a little frustrated because they want it to be easy, which is never going to happen. It's been the exhibition season for probably the last 50 years."

Rasmussen on what he took away from Thursday's matchup

"I thought it was alright. The third period, I think, is what we need to continue. I think we had a lot of pressure and upped our compete, our intensity. Some frustration in the first couple periods there. Just getting back into it, maybe not everything going the way we wanted it to there. Take it, watch it tomorrow and continue to build."

Rasmussen on where he feels the Red Wings are at defensively at this point of the preseason

"We're all in the same meetings and practices. Everybody knows the systems and what their responsibility is. D-zone, neutral zone, offensive zone and all that. We have a good grasp on what we need to do to be successful, and it's just about executing it."

Talbot on joining a new team and adjusting to new systems

"For me personally, I always try to come in as early as possible. I was here almost a month before Training Camp started, trying to get to know the guys, how we play as a team, start to ask questions early...I'm always asking questions, especially with a new group because you don't want to be learning on the fly in the preseason. The group has been really easy to read off of so far."