Adapting to faceoff changes crucial for Moore (and his team)

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Dominic Moore was caught off guard.

In his first pre-season game in his return to the Leafs on Monday, Moore lined up against Ottawa Senators forward Ben Sexton for a faceoff at 4:00 of the first period. When he attempted to win the draw, he was given a warning by linesman Tony Sericolo.

On Moore’s second attempt, he was given a minor penalty for a faceoff violation.

“(The officials) told us about it before the game about some changes,” Moore said. “But I didn’t know what to expect.”

Article 76.4 of the NHL rule book states that during faceoffs, “the players taking part shall take their position so that they will stand squarely facing the opponent’s end of the rink, and clear of the ice markings (where applicable).”

It was enforced loosely in the past, but the league is calling it by letter of the rule, one of a few changes made for the upcoming season.

“The goal is to reward skill on the faceoff and not guys who cheat,” said NHL senior vice-president of hockey operations Colin Campbell in a phone call. “The rule has always been there.”

The ability to win faceoffs has become a staple for what Leafs coach Mike Babcock looks for in a fourth-line centre.

Last season, the Leafs struggled to find a player who was consistent enough for the coach’s liking. After trying centres Frederik Gauthier, Ben Smith, Peter Holland and Byron Froese, the Leafs acquired veteran forward Brian Boyle from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 27.

The Leafs signed Moore, 37, to a one-year US$1-million contract on July 1, hoping he would fill the void left by Boyle, who signed a twoyear deal with the New Jersey Devils on the same day.

Moore won 54.6 per cent of his faceoffs during the 2016-17 regular season. He was 22nd best among players with a minimum of 500 faceoff attempts.

But winning faceoffs under a new standard could prove tough for players who are unable to adapt.

“Keeping feet behind the hash mark at the faceoff circle changes the technique in which a player can attempt a faceoff,” Campbell said.

“Some players are known to drop a knee or spin into the circle once the puck is dropped, you won’t see that anymore,” Campbell added. Campbell insists this new standard is here to stay and they won’t back off despite some negative reaction.

Moore wasn’t the only player to struggle with faceoffs. Through two pre-season games, three Leafs have been penalized for faceoff violations while every centre has been kicked out of the faceoff circle at least once through two games.

“It’s tough with those rules to remain consistent,” said Leafs forward Nazem Kadri.