Leafs’ D gets job done at both ends of the ice
Rielly, Gardiner chip in offensively in win over Stars
DALLAS— There have been subtle changes to Morgan Rielly’s game this season as the promising defenceman continues to grow under the stewardship of coach Mike Babcock.
Rielly’s ability to control the pace of the game and to carry the puck have been his strength. But this year, Babcock is making sure he learns to play defence by putting Rielly and Matt Hunwick on the ice against opponents’ top lines.
So games like Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars — a speedy team with plenty of skill and ability to score — are solid measuring sticks to see the progress Rielly is making.
The young defenceman got an assist as the Leafs beat the Dallas Stars 3-2. It was the Leafs’ fourth straight win over the Stars, one of the best teams in the NHL.
While it was just the Leafs’ third win of the season, it was their second in five games. They have gone 2-1-2, picking up six of a possible 10 points, their best stretch to date.
Defenceman Jake Gardiner was the hero, scoring the game-winning goal on a slapshot as part of a two-point night. And James Reimer put on a show in net, facing 39 shots.
Vernon Fiddler’s short-side goal put Dallas up 2-2 early in the third period. P.A. Parenteau tied it with a shot that just went over the line before Antti Niemi’s pad kicked it out. Rielly picked up an assist on the play, and now leads the team with 11 points.
The Leafs didn’t get the matchups they wanted. Dallas, as the home team, had the last line change and tried to get the Tyler Seguin-Jamie Benn-Patrick Sharp combo out against Dion Phaneuf and Gardiner, a testament to what they think of the growth of Rielly’s game along with that of Hunwick.
“(Rielly) is a good player, he skates well,” said Benn. “He’s an up-andcoming superstar.”
The Stars’ line-matching worked in the second, when Sharp scored in close with 34 seconds remaining on the clock. Dallas dominated the second period, using their speed to wear down the Leafs.
The Leafs got the only goal of the first period, a power-play marker by Peter Holland. It was the second goal of the year by the frequent healthy scratch. And it was the team’s fifth power-play goal in its last 16 chances, as the moribund special teams unit shows signs of life.
It’s a work in progress as Rielly learns to add a bit of a physical game to his toolbox.
‘The longer you play the more you realize how to use your body,” said Rielly. “It’s not about being huge and strong — it’s about putting your body in the way, making guys go around you.
“If you’re big or small, you’re able to do that. You just have to commit yourself to doing it. Block the path is a term we use sometimes.”
Rielly also spends more time killing penalties than on the power play. Power-play time — which would be his strength — will come. Others can do that now. Rielly must first be strong defensively in order to be considered an elite defenceman.
“Rielly is getting better every game,” said Babcock. “He makes more plays without the puck than he did for sure in the early going. He’s breaking up more plays. He’s been on for more chances for than against, and that’s critical for us.
‘We want to continue with that focus.”
No one was happier than Holland, who pumped his fists after that first period power-play goal. It was a nice tip on a Gardiner shot.
Holland has been in Babcock’s doghouse, a healthy scratch five times this year and the last four games.
“Being in the press box and watching, I just tried to absorb the game. It looks so easy up there,” said Holland. “But I just have to play my game and do things they talked to me about.”
He only got in the lineup because of a lower-body injury to Daniel Winnik. Holland tried to stay positive during his time in purgatory.
“It’s tough, but it’s about being professional every day,” said Holland. “When you get out on the ice, you have to do your best. If you’re not in the lineup, you work hard at practice, showing them you want to be in the lineup and you want to help this team succeed.”