Thornton returns with ‘no restrictions’
Joe Thornton’s biggest on-ice value to the Maple Leafs is in the small details.
The 41-year-old forward, slated to return to the lineup Monday night against the Senators after missing 10 games with a rib injury, showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time in the offensive zone before he was hurt.
For example, he ranks second among Leafs forwards in offensive zone puck recoveries with 10.4 per game. While it’s just a five-game sample, and not as flashy as linemate Auston Matthews’ NHL-best 12-game points streak, Thornton’s efforts have contributed to the club’s league-leading possession metrics in the opposition zone.
Thornton returns for the first of three straight games against Ottawa with the club in first place in the North Division and among the NHL leaders in goals and goal differential. The raw numbers, however, mask the fact that Matthews and Mitch Marner have been carrying the offence during Thornton’s absence, with the rest of the lineup blowing hot and cold.
The Leafs need more from second-line stars William Nylander (no goals in his last five games) and John Tavares (one goal in nine) as they head into a stretch of seven games in 10 days. Dig deeper and the third and fourth lines have produced little outside of a memorable hat trick by Jason Spezza.
Thornton’s return is expected to help, on and off the ice.
“I think (Thornton) adds to our depth, the way his presence has a trickle-down effect up and down the lineup,” coach Sheldon Keefe said Sunday. “It will help us positively there. And in addition, his voice and his energy, all those things we haven’t had around since he was hurt.”
Keefe added that Nylander is like several other Leafs, searching for offence in an unusual season where they face a steady diet of the same six opponents.
“I think (Nylander) trying to find his game offensively, trying to find his way in the division — the way the game is going, and the way other teams key in on him and make it hard ... Games that we’re playing, because of how we’re playing defensively, they are naturally are not as open as they were previously.”
Thornton said his ribs, while healed, remain sensitive, but added he’s healthy enough to return to his normal self on the ice.
“I’ve been taking some light hits, some big hits, some medium hits,” said Thornton, who has practised with no restrictions for several days. “I feel good and there’s no restrictions. The hardest part’s over, and now I can just go out and focus on playing.”
Thornton will return to the top line with Marner and Matthews, while Zach Hyman rejoins Tavares and Nylander.
Meanwhile, former Senator Scott Sabourin, a rugged winger signed after the loss of Wayne Simmonds, was inserted on the fourth line in Sunday’s practice. If he plays Monday, as expected, it will mark his Leafs debut.
Sabourin and Matthews have some history.
Back in September 2019, the then-Senator apparently talked some smack during a game. Matthews didn’t reply, but then — in a moment that went viral — glanced at the back of Sabourin’s jersey, checking for a name as if he’d never heard of him.
Now they’re teammates, and Sabourin will have the back of Matthews or any other Leaf should Monday’s game get overly physical.
While Thornton might be hoping it doesn’t, he’s confident he can contribute right away, the way he did at the start of his first season with the Leafs. He still leads the team by averaging one stick check per game in the offensive zone, and ranks fourth with 1.6 passes blocked in the offensive end. Little things that can add up to a lot.
“I can’t wait to play,” Thornton said. “It feels good to be with two obviously talented players who are playing really well, so (we need to) keep that good thing going.”
“The hardest part’s over, and now I can just go out and focus on playing.” JOE THORNTON