Maple Leafs adjusting lineup for second game with Flames
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t sitting around, whether it’s brandishing sticks for goals or Sheldon Keefe wielding a pen with his lineup.
And because they’re ahead in the win column and second in division offence, despite seven games in 12 days so far and 10 matches in 21/2 weeks by this Saturday, they won’t likely be staying with the same script.
For Tuesday’s rematch in Calgary, 37-year-old Jason Spezza is getting a rest day, winger Joey Anderson could be on deck while Jack Campbell might not be available for backup after a lower body injury in Sunday’s 3-2 victory.
“With Jack, we’re just letting things get settled down there, getting him evaluated,” said Keefe, who already has lost forwards Joe Thornton and Nick Robertson until at least late February.
Michael Hutchinson is on the trip as the third goalie and the Leafs were likely going back to No. 1 Frederik Andersen anyway on Tuesday. Spezza, meanwhile, was with the taxi squad practice group on Monday. Anderson, acquired in the Andreas Johnsson trade with New Jersey, was moving up the charts to the fourth line.
“We’re going to keep (Spezza) out,” the coach confirmed. “Our schedule has been busy. We want to give him tomorrow off, then we have a day off after that. We want to give other guys a chance.
“(Anderson) has good energy, good legs, really good attitude and situational awareness. He had a really good camp, but is just one of those guys in a very tough spot, who didn’t get a chance with (no) exhibitions. In scrimmages. intersquad games and practices, he’s looked good.”
SIMMONDS IS PUCK-STRUCK
No touchy-feely moments for Wayne Simmonds with his Mom, Dad or partner getting his Toronto goal puck.
“I’m gonna to keep that one,” declared the Scarborough native of Sunday’s power play goal. “That’s my first as a Leaf, 500th (NHL) point and 100 on the power play, so maybe I’ll put it on the wall. I have other pucks, probably all in storage in New Jersey (where he began last season) because of COVID-19. I’ll have to decide if Mom or Dad gets the rest of them.”
Simmonds knew the Leafs were looking not only for some size and snark for a perceived timid team in the off-season, but also for his net presence with the man advantage.
“Power play was brought
up by both Sheldon and (general manager Kyle Dubas). They didn’t promise me anything, what unit I’d be on, but it excited me.”
Who wouldn’t want to be in the mix with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander? And the fluid second group at times had Thornton, Spezza and Zach Hyman. Simmonds was on with most of the first group and defenceman Morgan Rielly on Sunday when he scored.
“This part of my career, coming off a down year, I was looking forward to this opportunity and continuing it as the year goes on.”
POWER IS BACK FOR LEAFS
The 9-for-22 Toronto power play as a whole is running just under 42 per cent, best in the North Division at the start of this week, third in the league.
All four of Tavares’s goals are in man-advantage situations. The team’s gaudy numbers will eventually come down as opposing teams adjust their pre-scout, but after its failure contributed to the playoff loss to Columbus last season, the power-play staff are certainly encouraged.
“It’s an area of our game that we have to take pride in,” Rielly said. “Watching tape, it looks a little sloppy to me and I think we can improve. We take ownership of that.”
Marner noted it was a good sign that a bad short-handed goal by Edmonton last week was quickly answered by the second unit, before the power play elapsed.
MARNER SWITCHED TO ‘ON’
Again, it’s early in the season, but Marner was tied for the league points lead before Monday evening with Connor Mcdavid of Edmonton and Anze Kopitar of the Kings, all at 10 points. With Matthews missing a game, Marner is also prominent in ice time.
“Our team, our line has been working together, we’re getting some bounces which is great,” Marner said. “When that goes well, stuff’s going to happen.”
Though Marner insisted he’s no more motivated than at any time of the year, Rielly opined “he’s flying. He likes being on the PK, too. He’s in a good place right now, having fun with it and when that happens, he’s fun to be around.”
LOOSE LEAFS
Keefe shrugged off a question of the Leafs seeking retribution for Matthew Tkachuk landing on Campbell in a crease pileup as the Flames pressed for the tying goal on Sunday. “I didn’t take it as anything. It’s a non-issue for me. We haven’t had any discussions other than how to beat Calgary.” ... The coach also was asked if there’d be a Rasmus Sandin sighting soon, acknowledging there has been little reason to swap out a healthy defence. “We just need patience, that’s the big thing. One of the really difficult parts of the way this camp with a non-exhibition season has gone, is that players such as Rasmus — younger players, depth players — don’t get nearly the regular opportunities in a regular camp with exhibition. It’s hard to keep them fresh. We’re mindful of it.”