Matthews’ teammates will need to step up vs. Flames
Travis Dermott was back in blue and white on Sunday, looking decidedly less green.
The young defenceman resumed practising after a strength-sapping flu bug took him out of the home-and-home sweep of the Winnipeg Jets.
“A lot of bed time, a lot of bathroom time,” Dermott said ahead of Monday’s showdown against the Calgary Flames in Toronto. “I’m trying to get back in tip-top shape.”
Coach Mike Babcock said the defender won’t play until at least Thursday’s game against Dallas.
Meanwhile, now could be the time for Andreas Johnsson to shine.
Those who watched the winger play a key role in the Toronto Marlies’ Calder Cup run last season, when he won the playoff MVP award, have waited to see the grit and goals he showed last season.
To date, he’s been in just six of Toronto’s 11 games, but returns against Calgary with Auston Matthews hurt.
“Through our talks (with Babcock) I don’t feel I’ve played my best,” Johnsson said. “Sometimes the puck doesn’t bounce with you and I feel at the beginning of this season it has bounced against me. I’ve been stiff on the puck instead of being confident with the moves I’m making. I’m doing weird stuff I don’t usually do.”
Looking at Monday’s game, the two Johnny Hockeys will no doubt be hoping for productive evenings.
John Tavares will have more of the spotlight with Matthews sidelined, while Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary ’s top scorer, looks to add to the two assists he tallied Saturday after a two-game dry spell.
Tavares had 15 points in 12 games against the Flames during his Long Island days.
Here are five things to watch for on Monday:
1
Miked up
Babcock spoke Sunday of his respect for the puck-handling abilities of Calgary goaltender Mike Smith to break up Leafs cycles. Smith also has a .925 save percentage against the Leafs in 13 career games, but Toronto goaltender Frederik Andersen has owned the Flames, with a record of 7-0-0-1.
2
Centres of attention
Sean Monahan, Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm will test Toronto’s depth with Matthews out. It could be Lindholm vs. Lindholm on a couple of shifts with Par Lindholm moved back to the middle by Babcock.
3
Hold all calls
The Leafs have only benefited from 28 power-play opportunities this season, putting them in the NHL’s bottom five for calls drawn, while Calgary has gone to the extra man on a regular basis, 45 times, which is near the front of the pack. But the Flames haven’t converted many.
4
Give it up
Babcock had a couple of biting comments about his team’s “silly ” tendencies with the puck when on offence, particularly being too risky at home. Both the Leafs and Flames rank top-five in giveaways.
5
It’s a hit
The Flames can steal a page from the Jets’ book and try to wear down the Leafs physically, especially in a road game. But playing without Matthews should cause the Leafs to step up their effort heading into this match.