Polak carrying heavier load lately for Maple Leafs
Roman Polak has become one of the more visible Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nikita Zaitsev’s injury ended the rotation with Polak and Connor Carrick and then a couple of high profile opponents, Pittsburgh and Dallas, created the need for Polak’s physical forte.
He helped keep the Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin under control Saturday while playing a season-high 23 minutes — the most effective game coach Mike Babcock said Polak has provided in their time together.
Without Matt Martin in the lineup Wednesday, Polak was again called upon to clear out some of the heavier Dallas Stars, though one zealous hit accidentally knocked Alexander Radulov into goalie Frederik Andersen.
Playoffs is the time when trench soldiers such as Polak make their mark, with San Jose trading for him in late 2016 during his first stint with the Leafs. After a gruesome leg injury last year against the Capitals in the opening round, Polak worked hard to earn a new contract. Polak now gives the staff some options, playing with both Travis Dermott and Jake Gardiner.
“I have to say I handled it very well,” Polak said of getting used to not playing every day. “It is what it is. I’m here to play and it’s up to the coaches what they want to do. I’m just following the plan.”
Does he expect to make a bigger contribution next month?
“I know I will,” he said. “It’s different, the hockey is taken to a different level and after every round it gets taken to another level. You think ‘this is it’ and you get to the second round and it’s even better with more intensity. That’s what I’m waiting for.”
KEEP THE FAITH
It’s possible Garret Sparks goes back to the AHL Toronto Marlies without seeing any NHL action.
That would be disheartening to the 24-year-old, who has been so impressive in the minors this year with a .936 save percentage and a winner of 24 games already, which helped set the Marlies’ franchise record of 73 overall. The latest was a 31-save home shutout over Laval on Wednesday before an emergency recall when Andersen was hurt.
In 2015-16, injuries led to the 2011 draft pick’s NHL break, a record of 6-9-1 in Babcock’s first season and an .893 save percentage — but with a much weaker Leafs team in front of him.
“In the end, your job as a prospect is to keep pushing the people who make the decisions,” Babcock said. “You do good things, eventually you’ll play in the NHL. The great thing about the AHL is that you’re trying out for 31 teams every night. To think anyone is not watching you, you’re sadly mistaken, there’s no vacuum, you’re playing in front of everyone.”