Former HAB Plekanec has Best outing As A LeAf

First time in series Boston’s top line kept off scoresheet

TORONTO Forward Tomas Plekanec was waiting for a chance to show Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock he was more than just a depth guy. He picked the right moment to prove himself.

Looking to avoid an 0-3 series deficit against Boston, Plekanec had his best outing as a Leaf on Monday in Toronto’s Game 3 victory over the Bruins, much to Babcock’s satisfaction. He played 17:58 — the most ice time he’s had in 20 games with the Toronto since being acquired from Montreal at the trade deadline — in a top-six role alongside Mitch Marner and Patrick Marleau.

The former longtime Canadien hit the scoresheet with an assist on Marleau’s third-period goal to seal the 4-2 win, but more importantly won the matchup against Boston’s top line by keeping it off the scoresheet for the first time in the series.

“Yeah, I felt better. Every player says that when you’re in the game more you feel much better about yourself, you’re more confident,” said Plekanec.

Plekanec had been used to playing a significant role with Montreal for the majority of his 11-year career, and having to adapt to a lesser one with Toronto has come with some challenges.

The 35-year-old averaged close to 20 minutes of ice time a night in 87 career playoff games with the Canadiens, but only played a combined 21:25 in the first two games against Boston.

“He played his best game since he’s been here, maybe just the fact he maybe didn’t feel as important as he should have when he got here affected his play, but I thought he was really good and a huge factor in our win,” said Babcock.

Plekanec joined Toronto as an accomplished two-way player and penalty killer, even if his offensive statistics have dropped since his prime years.

When the Leafs traded for Plekanec, the expectation was that he would give Toronto depth down the middle. Babcock wasn’t concerned that Plekanec only produced two assists in 17 regularseason games after the deal and said he was thrilled to have him for the playoffs because: “You can trust him. You can trust him without the puck, you can trust him to play against good players.”

“I know what I came for here, why I got traded for, and I’m trying to do the best I can. And I try to focus on that,” added Plekanec.