Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson ready for playoff prime time
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Bobby McMann won’t be a playoff spectator this time.
An injury kept him out of last spring’s seven-game series against Boston, one that former Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said would’ve been tailor-made for his rolling thunder game to counter the Bruins.
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While McMann looked on from the stands at TD Garden, the Leafs lost Game 7 in overtime. After taking a bit of time to get used to new bench boss Craig Berube – McMann was an opening night healthy scratch – he’s alternated between second and third line left wing and starts Game 1 with Pontus Holmberg and Nick Robertson.
“The guys did a great job last year, gave it everything they could have to come back,” McMann said Sunday morning. “I’ve had to watch the last couple of years (down with the Marlies in 2023, his last playoff action), seeing the energy of the fans and guys stepping up their games.
“I want to be part of that for sure. I just want to contribute.”
McMann reached 20 goals this year, while Robertson is looking forward to a better result than last spring as well. He didn’t get a point in six games against the Bruins, which put him under pressure to hold a lineup spot this season. But he hit 15 goals in 69 games and down the stretch, his effort and physicality dissuaded Berube from turning to big veterans Max Pacioretty or David Kampf when both were cleared.
“I’m excited, I want to be an impactful player in playoffs,” Robertson said. “It was a tough series against Boston, but I’m really happy where our team’s at now to last year.”
Robertson’s hot shot hasn’t found the net in the playoffs since his first NHL game in the Toronto COVID-19 bubble against Columbus.
“That was a long time ago, a weird feeling the first game (at Scotiabank Arena) with no fans.”
The bad luck with injuries plaguing Robertson earlier in his career has shadowed his brother Jason this spring. The Dallas Stars’ forward is out indefinitely with a knee injury suffered last week.
“He’s good, he’s recovering and hopefully he gets in soon in these playoffs.”
X: @sunhornby
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