Final stretch about learning
As season nears end, Leafs welcome chance to test themselves
With seven games to go in another non-playoff season, the Maple Leafs say there are still lessons to be learned and challenges to be overcome.
The Leafs flew Sunday to the sunshine state to prepare for back-toback games Monday in Tampa and Tuesday against the Panthers, ending a run of four games against teams who are jockeying for a position in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“Your body needs it,” said Leafs defenceman Connor Carrick, speaking of the sunshine and warmth. “It hasn’t been in the 70s (F) here. Looking forward to it.
“But at the same time, we have hockey to play. Again, it’s playoff-calibre teams, fighting for home ice. It’s a good stretch — Anaheim, Boston, Tampa, then Florida.”
The Leafs beat Anaheim Thursday, but lost to Boston on Saturday.
“We’re fighting through adversity,” said Leafs forward Nazem Kadri. “Games are going to be up and down. We’re going to have bad shifts, bad periods, whatever it may be. It’s important for us to leave the past in the past.”
LESSON LEARNED
If there was a lesson to be learned with the loss to Boston, it was how a game can change on a single play. In this case, it was a bad play by Carrick.
“There were definitely some mistakes made, the best example is the first goal was off a penalty I took,” said the defenceman.
The Leafs were up 1-0 and outplaying the Bruins when Carrick took a penalty.
“It was a 3-on-2, I’m at the red line,” said Carrick. “All of a sudden, poor pass, poor decision with my stick, kind of changed the pace of the second period. One play, one shift a game can mean everything in this league.”
Patrice Bergeron scored on a power play, and the Bruins went on to win 3-1.
BERNIER BETTER
There are elements to like about the Leafs progress at the end of the season, not the least of which is the improved play of goalie Jonathan Bernier. The goalie is 3-2-0 in his last five games, holding his opponent to two or fewer goals on those five games for a .954 save percentage and a1.43 goals-against average.
“It’s way better than he was at the start (of the season),” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said of Bernier. “I still like us to win. That’s how I measure it in the end. I like to win each game.”
HEATING UP
The fourth line is hot. Centre Ben Smith had Saturday’s lone Leaf goal and has collected a point in three straight games and has five points (one goal, four assists) in his last six games. “I want to show I have that in my game,” said Smith. “Do everything right defensively and contribute offensively.” His linemates, too, are doing OK. Colin Greening has 10 points in 23 games as a Maple Leaf. Brooks Laich has points in three straight games.
“It’s important for us to leave the past in the past.” NAZEM KADRI LEAFS FORWARD
COACH’S MESSAGE
“Let’s not over-evaluate what’s going on,” Babcock says. “Let’s be real fair with the guys with how hard they’re playing, they’re doing a good job. But being in the playoffs, and being a Stanley Cup contender is a different thing altogether.”
BY THE NUMBERS
20-21-9: Maple Leafs record when Tyler Bozak is in the lineup, their best record involving any of their veteran players.
17-27-9: Leafs record when Brad Boyes is in the lineup, their worst record involving any of their veteran players. 5-3-0: Leafs record with Rinat Valiev in the lineup, their best record involving a newcomer. 5-7-1: With Brooks Laich, their worst record involving a newcomer.
11-4-4: Leafs record when Morgan Rielly gets an assist 11-4-1: Leafs record when Jake Gardiner gets an assist
11-6-2: Leafs record when their goalies make between 30 and 39 saves 16-7-6: Leafs record when P-A Parenteau gets at least one point
12-25-7: Leafs record when winning more faceoffs 14-10-4: Leafs record when losing more faceoffs