LEAFS NOTES: Berube re-affirms faith in defence with stretch run heating up

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Craig Berube refused to get into any negatives where defenceman Simon Benoit’s game was concerned before facing the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

Benoit stumbled on the Los Angeles Kings’ opening goal Saturday night and was minus-3 in two games heading into the California trip’s finale. Despite Philippe Myers being available, the Maple Leafs coach made no lineup changes other than the rotation of goalies with Joseph Woll in for Anthony Stolarz.

“I think he’s been physical and that’s a big part of his game,” Berube told media in Anaheim when asked about Benoit. “He takes the body shift after shift, he makes it hard on the other team. And for me, his penalty killing has been good, his net-front presence has been good in our own end.”

Benoit agreed that there is some room for improvement.

“I can’t say I’m satisfied. I just want to tune in some stuff before the playoffs. We take those nine (remaining) games and make sure everybody is on the same page,” he said.

“But I think I’m trending in the right direction.”

Toronto’s entire blue-line has been under scrutiny with newcomer Brandon Carlo looking for a comfort zone with partner Morgan Rielly, whose strength is offence but his own-zone play has, at times, not been on the same page as Carlo’s.

Winger Nick Robertson also sat a second straight game after Berube moved Pontus Holmberg in and out.

MERCI, MONTREAL

Before the Leafs took to the ice on the West Coast, the Canadiens did the Leafs a big favour back East by beating Florida 4-2, providing a chance to lengthen Toronto’s division lead.

“I saw the score, but the game wasn’t on in our hotel,” Berube said. “Montreal’s fighting, they put themselves in a good spot now. Every game is tough. These guys (Anaheim) are playing well.”

CARLO BOXED IN

That was one spirited bout between Carlo and the Kings’ Jeff Malott on Saturday, which ended with them laughing about the encounter between the penalty box partition and Malott flashing a thumbs up.

What Carlo was surprised to find out later was that the Burlington-born Malott’s older brother Mike is a force on the UFC circuit and obviously taught his sibling a few moves.

“Knowing that information, I’m thankful I’m not knocked out right now,” Carlo told media in Los Angeles. “I’ll definitely do a little bit more research next time.”

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COLLEGE COLLAGE

On Saturday night, the Toronto organization signed its third NCAA player this month — forward Ryan Kirwan. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward from DeWitt, N.Y., was with Arizona State University, getting a career-best 26 goals and 39 points in 37 games after three years at Penn State.

His two-year deal with the Marlies begins next year. Until then, he’ll be on an amateur tryout deal. On Saturday, new NCAA forwards Luke Haymes and John Prokop debuted for the Marlies in Belleville, where they didn’t factor into the scoring during a 2-1 shootout win, but Haynes had a goal and assist Sunday in a 5-4 loss to the Bridgeport Islanders.

LOOSE LEAFS

Going into the Anaheim game, William Nylander was on the verge of going into ninth place in franchise goals and assists. In the former category, he was one behind Wendel Clark (260), the latter one back of Tim Horton (349) … John Tavares’s 40th winning goal on Saturday gave him ninth place ahead of Charlie Conacher, two back of Darryl Sittler … Sunday was the 1918 anniversary of Toronto’s first of 13 Stanley Cups in the NHL era. The Arenas defeated the PCHA-champion Vancouver Millionaires 2-1 in the deciding fifth game of a series played entirely at the Arena Gardens on Mutual St. … Happy 89th birthday Monday to Bob Pulford, who played on the last Leafs Cup team in 1967.

Lhornby@postmedia.com

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