The Maple Leafs don’t want to lose their way on Bay.
Before Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, Toronto had dropped four of its past six games at Scotiabank Arena, trying to avoid three consecutive defeats at home for just the second time under new coach Craig Berube. Since Dec. 21, the Leafs’ mark is 6-8-1.
There are some mitigating factors, with so few home dates since late January that many Leafs hadn’t realized the downward trend in their yard.
“It’s been a couple of months, you’ll have to remind me,” joked defenceman Jake McCabe. “But through the course of the year, our record is pretty good at home (20-12-1 before the Sens).”
Ottawa presents the second of four straight when they’d be sleeping in their own beds and enjoy such perks as last line change.
“We’re on the road for quite some time after the break and obviously that’s hard,” Berube said. “But it’s not excuses. We have to fight through it. Now we’re at home, we’ve had a little rest. We should have good energy here.”
Berube said the most recent 3-2 home loss to Florida yielded some encouraging signs, even though it damaged Toronto’s hopes of catching the first-place Panthers.
“It was a low-event game, but for quite some time this year, we played in a lot of low-event games and came out on top. That’s got to be our recipe.”
Matthew Knies said the team has grappled at times to re-establish “an identity”, which Florida, Ottawa and other visiting opponents have clearly not. Getting on a firm footing at home will address that.
“It’s important because the division is very tight and every point matters,” Knies said.
“We have to stay confident in our game, know we’re doing the right things,” added Mitch Marner. “Trust in the system.”
SEN-SATIONAL PLAYOFFS
It’s Christmas in March for a few long-time Senators who’ve not been in a playoff spot in the schedule’s closing weeks. The club is trying to get there for the first time in eight years after so many false hopes.
“Been a while,” agreed centre Shane Pinto. “The last couple of years have been tough for us, but to finally have meaningful games at this time of year is what you play for. It’s refreshing, we’re embracing it.”
Part of the reason the Sens are in a good wildcard position this year was two wins against the Leafs prior to Saturday.
“It’s natural, an Ontario rivalry and the fans obviously bring it,” Pinto said. “It will always be there.”
Thomas Chabot described Ottawa’s dressing room attitude as “very hungry”.
“We’re fortunate to play hockey in this league, but you want to play in big games. When your season ends early, you go home, but I watch every single playoff game. And you know what? We put ourselves in good position so far.”
OUT OF SIGHT
Knies couldn’t argue with Berube’s assertion after the loss to Florida that the vaunted Toronto power play doesn’t hit the net with enough hard shots. The velocity of a drive that misses often propels it off the glass or boards and out.
“If we miss the net, it’s going down the other way and we can’t really have that,” Knies said. “We have to create second and third opportunities and that happens when we hit the net and get rebounds.”
LOOSE LEAFS
Congrats to Toronto Star colleague Kevin McGran on his upcoming new book, ‘Auston Matthews, A Life In Hockey’, to be published Sept. 30 … How did Oakville’s Scott Laughton like the atmosphere of Thursday’s first Leaf home game? “You get the chills going out there. My brother and Dad were at the game with a couple of cousins and about 10 of my buddies. Just wish we had the two points” … The Leafs have been breaking in their green and black St. Patrick’s Day gear for Monday’s match against Calgary and will wear a new version of the Toronto St. Pats sweater.
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