Defence key against high-flying Leafs
Focus will be on stopping Gaudreau’s line as Toronto embarks on western swing
Something old and something new awaits the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday in Calgary.
While they’ll be pressed to corral Johnny Gaudreau, part of the searing Flames’ No. 1 line with centre Sean Monahan and Micheal Ferland, they can’t forget about ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr. Four of the 45-year-old’s six points have come at the Scotiabank Saddledome and he’ll be looking for his 80th against the Leafs in his 45th game.
“I was lucky to have played with him in Philly,” said James van Riemsdyk of when Jagr was a mere puppy of 39 in the 2011-12 season. “He’s still playing at a high level. Hands, brains, he still has the whole package.”
The Czech winger has 1,920 career points, and though he’s slowing down and had to take one of the few UFA offers that came his way after a quiet summer, he’s still tough to get the puck from when he turns his large posterior to a forechecker.
“He’s a legend. He’s gotten all the respect he deserves,” said Leaf centre Nazem Kadri.
“I can’t imagine how prepared and how organized you’ve got to be at that age to play.”
Gaudreau, meanwhile, ranked third in NHL scoring before Monday’s games, and Monahan wasn’t too far behind. A November surge helped both players.
“It’s pretty crazy, they should get more attention than what they’ve drawn,” said Toronto winger Mitch Marner.
“In our division, we haven’t heard too much about them, but you look in the standings and they’re doing well. You know how good all three guys are on that line and how they work together really well. When they’re on the ice, you have to stick to the plan you want to do.”
Being on the road means Toronto coach Mike Babcock might not get his desired line matchup of centre Kadri and winger Leo Komarov against Monahan and Gaudreau.
“As you know, I like to go up against the best players and measure myself against that challenge,” said Kadri. “You have to be physical on (Gaudreau), He’s a great player, he’s got that upper echelon skill. If you’re light or soft on him, he’s going to make you look bad.”
Gaudreau missed the Leafs’ visit to Calgary last year with a broken hand, a high-profile incident that helped inspire the NHL to get tougher with swings at players’ lower forearms above the cuff of the glove.
“No sense letting slashing on the hands go,” said Babcock. “You’re a better player with your stick on the puck anyway, so why wouldn’t we eliminate that? Same as contact to the head. You want good players to be on the ice.”
Kadri says that crackdown will still take some getting used to, both as a giver and receiver.
“It’s a good rule change. Sometimes you bring your stick up a little high and you don’t think it’s a penalty. This year it is. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but also an adjustment for the referees. I don’t think guys were too thrilled about it early on, especially if you were getting the penalty.”
Gaudreau was shut out and was a minus-2 in the Toronto portion of last year’s season series against the Flames.
Toronto came west a day early to master the two-hour time change and had a long practice on Monday.
After winning six on a row, the Leafs have dropped two of the past three. Their western swing continues Thursday in Edmonton and Saturday in Vancouver.