Breadcrumb Path Hyperlinks
Toronto Maple LeafsSportsNHLHockey
’That’s the way you construct bonds and make a workforce out of random gamers’
Article content material
Max Domi had by no means met Bobby McMann till a couple of weeks in the past, however jumped to his defence when sore loser Radko Gudas cross checked him after a purpose on Saturday versus the Geese.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Simon Benoit used to play for Anaheim, however that didn’t cease him main Toronto’s defence with 5 hits within the bodily affair. Final month, amid his different payback hits when sensing a teammate is being focused, Jake McCabe fought Brandon Tanev of the Kraken after he’d rattled Timothy Liljegren.
Article content material
And there was mild-mannered Morgan Rielly going rogue in opposition to Ottawa showboat Ridly Greig, albeit suspended 5 video games for it.
“We’re attempting to construct a brotherhood right here,” Benoit stated. “I wouldn’t say we don’t know one another, however I feel we’re attending to know one another. Whereas doing that, it doesn’t imply I can’t defend a teammate.
“Max did it effectively Saturday, he thought it was an affordable shot whereas Bobby was on the ground, so he went at it (with Gudas). That’s the way you construct bonds and make a workforce out of random gamers.”
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
One other week of shut quarters on this week’s street journey will assist that course of.
“We’ll get to know one another, their households and their tales,” Benoit stated.
Coach Sheldon Keefe additionally praised Domi for retaliating on Gudas after the 2 already had a first-period battle.
“I assumed that was wonderful and since we scored a lot it was most likely an understated a part of the sport. I like what Max did and Ryan Reaves’ presence, however the perspective of our workforce has modified so much this yr with these guys and (Tyler) Bertuzzi, Benoit and McCabe’s presence on the again.
“They’ve all stepped up and achieved a extremely good job. There have been a few situations this season the place there was a giant deal about (the Leafs being intimidated), however I feel typically we’ve dealt with these conditions very well and people guys have (contributed).”
Commercial 4
Article content material
MAKING THEIR POINTS
Keefe’s Leafs’ predecessor, Mike Babcock, most popular the idea of breaking the 82-game schedule into elements, often five-game home windows, the place the purpose was to get six or extra of a attainable 10 factors. Not Keefe, because the Leafs started a busy stretch of 5 video games in eight nights.
“I’ve by no means believed in that method. If you do this, in my thoughts, you’re already form of accepting that you simply’re going to lose factors,” Keefe stated.
“I imagine you need to win each single sport. Each level misplaced is a disappointment.”
WESTWARD WINS
We’ll see if the Leafs’ spectacular performances in opposition to the West maintain up the following two weeks with six straight video games to come back.
After dusting the Geese, Toronto’s document is 18-5-2 throughout the road. Reaves was not prepared to jinx that by getting too analytical.
Commercial 5
Article content material
“I’ve been on groups that dominated the opposite convention and ones that couldn’t get a win on that facet. I don’t know how you can clarify it,” he stated.
“Possibly it’s the air out West. Possibly it’s extra solar there. Getting factors out West is large, not as vital as beating groups in your division, which is the way you get separation.
“However on this scenario, this time of yr, all factors are vital. Groups are combating for spots to get in or get a better (seed) and gamers are combating for jobs. You’ll be able to’t take any workforce flippantly.”
After this journey and residential video games in opposition to Vegas and Arizona, 22 of Toronto’s remaining 23 video games are in opposition to the East, the exception a March 23 go to by Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
CRUISE CONTROL
It’s stated a three-goal lead is the toughest to carry in hockey. So how complacent did the Leafs get whereas up six earlier than their eventual 9-2 win Saturday was half full?
Commercial 6
Article content material
“You attempt to not have unhealthy habits that can enable momentum swings,” Keefe stated of the uncommon luxurious lead. “Restrict how a lot it’s important to defend, handle the matchups to maintain your guys wholesome, use your bench.”
Although Auston Matthews had a hat trick and 5 factors early, his ice time was scaled again and he didn’t play greater than quarter-hour whole.
LOOSE LEAFS
Keefe stated the Leafs could have no time for practices on the street this week, which suggests a possible day without work Tuesday in Phoenix earlier than the sport in opposition to the Coyotes. Matthews and linemate Matthew Knies are from the world and can little doubt host … Keefe coached his 195th victory on Saturday, shifting one forward of Bob Gainey for 89th place in NHL profession wins … It’s truly not uncommon in Leaf annals that Matthews scored on his first shot in opposition to two completely different goalies in the identical sport on Saturday. That was completed 14 months in the past by Alex Kerfoot. The unusual coincidence is that Kerfoot did it in opposition to the identical two Anaheim keepers, John Gibson and Lukas Dostal, however in reverse order of Matthews in a 7-0 dwelling win on Dec. 13, 2022.
lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
Article content material
Share this text in your social community