Leafs keen to end woes in West
The Toronto Maple Leafs must start to think outside the box — make that outside the conference — for points in their quest of a second straight playoff appearance.
Monday’s home game against the Chicago Blackhawks — in which the Leafs rallied for a 4-3 win in overtime — marked their second of nine against teams from the West in the first month of the NHL season. Wins, especially in regulation against such teams, make the math a lot easier in March and April, when Toronto will likely be neck and neck in its playoff pursuits against conference rivals, with 21 of its final 23 games against East opponents.
“Down the stretch, points against teams in your own division are gruelling and grinding,” defenceman Morgan Rielly says. “These ones, you want to put in the bank.
“Yes, we’re playing against some teams in the West, but those are points we need (regardless). The longer you’re around, the more you realize the value of points early in the season. Last year, we got criticized for giving up leads, losing points that way.”
The Leafs had 10 regulation wins against the West last year and 18 losses.
Mr. Smith goes to ... Asked about assistant coach D.J. Smith’s development the past three seasons, Leafs head coach Mike Babcock revealed an off-season discussion with him about the good possibility another NHL team approaches him to be a head coach in the next couple of seasons. Smith’s success in the OHL with Windsor and Oshawa has continued in Toronto.
“He has a chance to be a head coach in our league for sure,” Babcock said. “He’s been around winning, he’s really good with people, has a good brain for the game and he understands the game can change in a moment. I think he’s learned quite a bit on his time here. I encouraged him over this summer when teams were talking about (replacing head coaches) to take a little more time. When you arrive and when you’re ready, you stay longer.’’
Otter turned Blackhawk: The Chicago Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat, a former Erie Otter, admitted to nerves and a slow start in exhibition play, but seems to be adjusting. The three-time 50-goal scorer in the OHL is the first Blackhawk to be named outstanding player in the OHL since Stan Mikita.
Loose Leafs: The Leafs are getting a tribute on the loonie. Their logo has been placed on the $1 coin for the team’s 100th anniversary with five million starting to circulate.