Bottom line, Toronto’s top six forwards have been playing too short lately.
Where the Maple Leafs usually closed ranks when any of their Core Four have been out of the lineup, notably if Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner get sidelined, the past three losses without John Tavares and Matthew Knies have yielded just three goals for and trouble spots elsewhere.
Yes, they also won three minus Tavares, but those victories came with lots of concern expressed that the team looked out of sorts.
Thus, relief was palpable when both practiced Friday afternoon in Edmonton on their regular lines, the bullish Knies overcoming an upper body issue to get back on the left with Matthews and Marner, Tavares skating strongly between William Nylander and Max Pacioretty.
“It gives me confidence I came back strong from the last (injury),” Knies told media in Edmonton of missing two games in late November.
Checking winger Pontus Holmberg was no longer a placeholder for Tavares, moving back to left wing with centre Max Domi and Bobby McMann. Tavares fell awkwardly at a Jan. 15 practice when a teammate locked skates and overstretched his leg. He told reporters in Edmonton it was “very positive” he was able to push himself at Friday’s practice.
Coach Craig Berube agreed Tavares was “ahead of schedule,” without confirming he’ll play Saturday.
Tavares and Knies rejoined the top power play unit, five forwards with Matthews, Marner and William Nylander. With Toronto already facing two scorers in the NHL’s top five, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, that has to be re-assuring.
Saturday starts four in a row on the road for Toronto, which has been wonky at home recently (a record of 5-8), seeking a more conservative game in the West against the Oilers, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks, in that order. Then comes the 4 Nations Face-off break and four of the next five away up to March 1.
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One of the marauding visitors to skunk the Leafs at Scotiabank Arena this week was the Minnesota Wild, 3-0 on its road swing so far with a league-best travel record of 20-5-3. Berube was asked this week what the Leafs could glean from the Wild’s temperament as visitors.
“Being patient, playing with real good structure throughout the game. When you get your opportunities, hopefully you capitalize on them. You go in, teams are fired up playing at home and they’re coming (hard at you). So, you have to check well.
“Sometimes at home, your players want to make (fancy) plays and probably try things they shouldn’t, instead of playing a boring game. Take what they give you is what I tell our guys. We don’t want to beat ourselves.”
McDavid said Friday his team has fluttered a bit trying to get first place in the Pacific Division, including losing 3-2 in a shootout to Detroit at home Wednesday. But he acknowledged what the Leafs have gone through the past three matches.
“I don’t think they love their game right now, either. They’re looking to score some goals and we’re looking to stop giving up chances. It will be a good test for both sides.”
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