Before they bashed helmets Saturday night and in two weeks at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid broke a few things for a McDonald’s burger commercial.
In the tradition of Mats Sundin and Wayne Gretzky 25 years ago, the current Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers captains staged outlandish special effects trick shots. They morph from an empty rink out-doing the other on several bar-down drives and backhands outside where a Matthews puck knocks the tooth out of McDavid’s picture on a rooftop billboard. McDavid then triggers a big-city blackout with a clapper off a hydro pole.
“Definitely some long (filming) days,” Matthews told media in Edmonton. “It made it easier having someone there with you going through it all. In the end it was fun to look back on. With the history of that particular (ad), it’s pretty cool.
“We played together in the (2016) World Cup pretty early on, we’ve spent time together at all-star games, stuff like that. I have a ton of respect for him, a very special player.”
Did Matthews have to eat a few Big Macs as part of the taping?
“I tried it once, that’s it. Gotta stay on point (a strict NHL diet) during the season.”
MATCHING MCDAVID AND MARNER
While much of the 4 Nations hype is Matthews against McDavid (that Canada — U.S. game is on Feb. 15 in Montreal by the way), an intriguing Canadian pairing could be McDavid centring Matthews’ usual right winger, Mitch Marner.
It could have several dynamics, either at 5-on-5, power play or perhaps the two forwards could be a penalty-killing unit late in an opposition power play, as Leaf coach Craig Berube employs Marner and Matthews.
“Mitch is a guy I’ve never played with at any level before,” McDavid told media in Edmonton. ”I’m excited about that. He’s such a smart player and he’s having a terrific year. He reminds me a little bit of Leo (Draisaitl). He can slow the game down when he has to. I like playing with guys like that.”
They were OHL rivals, Marner with London, McDavid with Erie, between 2013-15.
EASING LIFE OF RIELLY
Berube isn’t restricting Morgan Rielly’s ice time yet, but there was to be a partner change on Saturday.
In the greater plan to re-unite shutdown specialists Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev if the Oilers stack McDavid and Draisaitl on one line, Rielly was to be placed with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Rielly enters the game a team-worst minus 17 and his points have dropped, in part because the Leafs went to a five-forward first-unit power play
“(Rielly needs to) be more aggressive,” Berube said Friday. “Don’t give up on a play and do his thing offensively. Mistakes happen in the game, you can’t be focused on them. Use your ability. He’s a good player, he sees the ice. We had a good talk today.”
McCabe has been moving between the left side and his more unfamiliar right, which a switch to playing with Tanev will correct.
“I had Caber on the right for a bit coming off his (head) injury and I didn’t feel like he was the same over there,” Berube said. “OEL and Mo have played together before.”
‘C’ THE DIFFERENCE
In commenting on Matthews wearing the ‘C’ for Team USA, Berube noted he’s seen the 27-year-old “open up more, use his voice more” as the new Toronto captain.
“In the conversations I’ve had with him, I’m trying to ask him questions about the team, what’s going on, getting feedback from him. He might not have been in those conversations before, not being captain (as an alternate to John Tavares).
“He’s in the room, he has full investment in what’s going on. He gives it all every shift, Most captains aren’t rah-rah guys. The rah-rah guys were me in the locker room (as a fourth liner). Captains, their job is to be good teammates, understand what’s going on with the team and if something needs to be said, say it.
“The biggest things is lead but example, play the right way and look after his teammates. If something’s going on with the guy, help him out, be there for him, good or bad. That’s part of being a captain.”
CALIFORNIA STREAKING
The Marlies were to wrap up their California road trip on Saturday night in Bakersfield against, but might not want to leave.
The farm team ran its Golden State record to 4-1 Friday with a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Gulls. Alex Steeves potted his 24th goal, the AHL lead before the weekend. Alex Nylander had two for 28 points in 35 games.
“(Nylander) told me the other day he wasn’t playing to his standard,” Marlies coach John Gruden said post-game. “I thought the last two games he was absolutely outstanding. He was much heavier on the puck, playing in straight lines, forechecking, had his feet moving, just way more dangerous out there.”
William’s brother would like to earn another look with the Leafs before the season’s end.
Dennis Hildeby made 19 saves Saturday, for five straight wins and a .914 save percentage this season. Berube said last week it was unfortunate Hildeby hadn’t played more often on the farm to get in a groove before being thrust into sporadic NHL games as Joseph Woll’s backup.
LOOSE LEAFS
The Leafs did not bring defenceman Jani Hakanpaa on the road at this point, leaving him back in Toronto for regular workouts. Berube still has no timeline on Hakanpaa’s return, who has two games under his belt with knee problems. He was removed from Finland’s 4 Nations roster … Matthews was glad to see blueliner John Klingberg find a spot with the Oil after an injury-shortened stint in Toronto. “It was a roller coaster for him with us last year. In the two months he was a great teammate, fun to be around. Good to see him healthy”… Berube said goalie Anthony Stolarz is now going through the conditioning phase of his recovery from minor knee surgery with no issues complicating a comeback in coming days … Gulls’ defenceman Rodwin Dionicio was suspended three games by the AHL when sticks got high at the conclusion of Wednesday’s Toronto win.
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