Toronto set to celebrate a century of hockey pride
Every game day in their walk about the Air Canada Centre, the Maple Leafs look at framed blackand-white pictures of past stars in vintage hockey gear, stride by a wall commemorating the franchise’s 13 Stanley Cup titles and stand under a long line of retired number banners for the national anthem.
At last count, 967 players have suited up for the Arenas, St. Patricks and Maple Leafs.
On Tuesday afternoon, wearing throwback-style Arenas sweaters, the Leafs will showcase all they enjoy in the world’s largest hockey market — that started exactly 100 years ago.
“It’s a cool opportunity for us to be part of,” alternate captain Morgan Rielly said.
Head coach Mike Babcock will walk in the figurative footsteps of Dick Carroll, who was behind the bench the first night Toronto’s team played, losing a 10-9 road game to the Montreal Wanderers.
Goalie Frederik Andersen has been following the countdown to the Next Century Game as the club has dubbed the 2 p.m. EST match against Carolina.
“That’s one of those extra things that you get to experience playing in Toronto,” said the Danish goaltender, who will wear a tribute mask for the occasion.
Here are five things to watch in Tuesday’s game:
1 Like a Hurricane
While Toronto has yet to see its closest geographical rival, the Buffalo Sabres, this will be the third meeting with the Canes and it’s not even Christmas yet. Three goals in the third period on Nov. 24 threw a scare into the Leafs in a 5-4 win. Zach Hyman has two goals in the series to date.
2 Connor’s corner
A big game for defenceman Connor Carrick, who steps into Nikita Zaitsev’s place with Jake Gardiner the next couple of weeks after an injury to Zaitsev in Detroit. The Nov. 24 game was Carrick’s last before Babcock went to Roman Polak on the third pairing.
3 Score mentality
The Leafs’ offence suddenly dried up in a three-game losing streak after some success without injured leading scorer Auston Matthews. With William Nylander getting another chance at centre to lure checkers away from the other Leafs lines, someone will have to produce.
4 Quit Staaling
Carolina’s Jordan Staal had a goal in the last game and 14 against the Leafs in total, his second-best mark against any team.
5 Ancient rivals?
While the Senators got the storied Montreal Canadiens for their outdoor century game, the Leafs draw one of the NHL’s least sexy opponents for such a milestone event. However, the Leafs should channel the buzz for the right purpose.