With Tavares aboard, power play will have bite
John Tavares skated on the low post on the Maple Leafs’ power play during practice Thursday, looking smooth and comfortable in what will be a new role for him.
Tavares admitted that during his allstar career, he has seen relatively little power-play duty where his role was to serve as the low forward.
That means getting in front of the net, getting to rebounds and angling for tipins, as well as working the corners and behind the net.
It’s something of a gruelling task, one filled admirably the last several seasons by former Leaf James van Riemsdyk. But when you’re Tavares, and you have deft hands and arguably the best skating skills in tight spaces in the NHL, that role almost seems a natural assignment.
“I like to think I’m comfortable (in that role),” Tavares said as the Leafs prepared for their first pre-season home game Friday night against Buffalo.
“There’s so much talent in our lineup, I think it will make the game easier for all of us, me included. I think over my career I’ve done good work around the net, but I’ve not necessarily done (the down low role) a lot. So, be ready when the opportunities come around the net. Like I said, we have a lot of guys who can get you the puck.”
Tavares will be part of a tremendously talented group that features Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri and Mitch Marner. Auston Matthews should also get a spot in that group, after spending most of last season on the second power-play unit.
For Leafs coach Mike Babcock, Tavares kind of fell into his lap as the down low forward on the power play.
“I asked John where he wanted to play (on the power play), and he said (in front of the net). I was surprised, we were gonna move Matty (Matthews) up there,” Babcock said.
With Tavares newly into the fold, and Matthews getting first-unit power-play time after time on the second unit last year, Babcock will look for balance from his man-advantage unit once the season gets rolling.
There are several considerations, including having the three top centres — Tavares, Matthews, and Kadri — on the unit; another question is who will be on the second unit.
“That’s how we’ll start, and go from there,” Babcock said of his top unit.
On paper, that group certainly generates at least the expectation of repeating as one of the league’s most deadly units.
For Tavares, it reduces the pressure on him to be a leading contributor every night, and allows him to explore the role while getting accustomed to how it works.
“Last year I played a lot in front of the net, in the high slot more than in other years,” said Tavares, referring to his former New York Islanders, with whom he registered 12 goals and 18 assists on the power play.
“In front of the net, I’d say I’ve been practising that role, it’s an adjustment from other years, but I’m focusing on it.”
Tavares has spent the early part of camp on a line with Marner and Zach Hyman.
The centreman’s comfort level on the power play should be advanced, with linemate Marner joining him on the manadvantage unit.
“He’s got a lot of skill, his ability to see the ice, to judge time and space, and the way he understands that, it’s very important, especially on special teams.
“So, for me, I have to make sure I’m doing my job, and we all have to make sure of the same thing,” Tavares said.
Matthews, meanwhile, is just as excited as anyone about the first unit.
“When you get some top guys together on one unit, it makes for scoring and creating plays,” Matthews said.
“We have to play together and you look to finding that chemistry and excitement.”