The best way to respond properly to a resounding victory is to come out with another solid effort.
We wouldn’t call the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win against the visiting Seattle Kraken on Halloween a perfect performance, but there should be little quibbling three nights after Toronto ended Winnipeg’s undefeated start.
Our takeaways from Thursday night at Scotiabank Arena:
HERE’S JOHNNY
If there is a little pressure that has come off John Tavares’ shoulders now that he no longer is the captain, we don’t think the proud veteran would acknowledge as much.
There’s something positive going on with the 34-year-old, as he is off to an excellent start.
In recording two assists, including an eye-popping pass to William Nylander for the Leafs’ third goal, Tavares has 11 points in 10 games. What’s more, eight of his points have come at five-on-five. In 80 games last season, Tavares had 35 points at five-on-five. Keeping his current pace might be a challenge, but there’s no taking away from the impact Tavares is making as he plays in the final year of his contract.
“He has been incredible,” Leafs winger Matthew Knies said after the win. “He has been everything we needed him to be, good on draws, good around the net, tips and getting shots in.
“It’s remarkable. I love watching it. He’s a guy I can learn a lot from. I’m excited to see what he can do the rest of season.”
For now, it’s the play of the line of Tavares between William Nylander and Max Pacioretty that has drawn excitement within the dressing room and in the fan base. The trio combined for nine points in Winnipeg and followed that with five more against Seattle.
About that Tavares pass to Nylander, though. Down on one knee, Tavares managed to get the puck to his linemate for an open-net goal midway through the second period.
Did Tavares know Nylander was sitting at the back door or did he just have an idea that Nylander might be there?
“It’s a little bit of a guess,” Tavares said. “As the play is developing, and then you get into that spot, you kind of have an idea where guys might be and you just try to put the puck in a good spot.
“If it doesn’t work out, at least it gives you a good spot to work to earn it back. But the way the play kind of developed, I thought him or Patch would have drifted to that side and I’m happy it worked out.”
Said Nylander: “I think we both find each other every once in a while in an area like that. It was a tremendous play by him, and I was lucky to be on the receiving end of it.”
There was some consternation heading into camp about the Leafs’ depth at centre and how Tavares might best fit.
Three weeks into the regular season, it’s becoming more evident there was no reason to be concerned. And while the C no longer is on his sweater, Tavares’ leadership has not taken a back seat.
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NYLANDER’S TREATS
That’s eight goals in 11 games for Nylander, putting him on pace for 60. Sustainable? Probably not.
But though Nylander would like more ice time, he’s making the best of what he has been getting under coach Craig Berube.
“I think he’s playing great, he’s producing really well,” Tavares said. “He’s always pushing to be better, and wants to be a key contributor in all areas. He’s grown a lot and become a big leader for us in a lot of different ways.”
Nylander had plenty of time to record what would have been just his second National Hockey League hat trick — we were surprised to find upon looking it up that he has just one, coming back in February 2017 against the Boston Bruins — but it wasn’t to be, despite Seattle coach Dan Balsam pulling goalie Joey Daccord with more than five minutes to play in the third period.
“It would have been fun (to score three),” Nylander said. “But, you know, one day.”
What has made the Tavares line so successful?
“Pacioretty is a physical player,” Berube said. “He’s getting in there and creating a lot of space for these guys, in my opinion.
“JT is really strong on the puck, doing a good job there and Willie puts it in the net. It’s a pretty solid line.”
It’s taking some heat away from the Auston Matthews line, too. Not that the top Leafs line of Matthews between Mitch Marner and Knies slouched on Thursday.
A goal by Knies with five seconds left in the first, after Matthews won an offensive-zone draw against Chandler Stephenson, was large, giving the Leafs a 1-0 lead and momentum. Matthews passed to Marner, who fed Knies.
“I think Tone saw that he could make that play,” Knies said in reference to Matthews. “We saw the recipe. It’s work hard and get to the net.”
WOLL STEPS UP
Joseph Woll was within minutes of recording his second NHL shutout when Eeli Tolvanen beat him through a screen with 3 1/2 minutes remaining.
There was no reason for the goaltender’s shoulders to sag, though, after his first win of the season. He has been smart in net after recovering from tightness in his groin, and the Leafs are getting what they desired in goal: A strong tandem with Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
“A lot of resilience,” Nylander said, making reference to what he has seen in Woll early in the season. “It can be hard getting hurt like that (in the playoffs last spring), and then getting ready for the season, and then getting hurt right before the season starting.
“He has been great that way. Getting his body back in the gym every day, and the work ethic is there. That’s why he’s the goalie he is.”
The Leafs were structured in front of Woll on Thursday, limiting Seattle to a handful of high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five.
The 26-year-old Woll has enough injuries to last a career. Through the challenges, his outlook has been terrific.
“I think now I understand there’s things you can control and there’s things you can’t, and sometimes when you get injuries, you can’t really control much,” Woll said. “I know the work I put in, and I’m confident in that. I think naturally there’s a little bit of emotion and disappointment and frustration and stuff when you do get hurt.
“As much as I can, I try to allow myself to feel those things and be human for a bit. And then you have to turn the page and look to what’s important to do that day and what gets you back.”
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
“He told me he aced geometry.”
— Knies on Matthews’ bank shot off the side boards into an empty Kraken net for the fourth Toronto goal
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