What the scouts are saying about the Maple Leafs and Senators series
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Maple Leafs in six.
That’s how a couple of veteran National Hockey League scouts see the Battle of Ontario ending, with the Leafs taking care of the Ottawa Senators in one less game than is required in the best-of-seven series.
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What the scouts are saying about the Maple Leafs and Senators series Back to video
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Some of the factors in the series that came up in our conversations, with Game 1 on tap on Sunday night at Scotiabank Arena:
STARRY NIGHTS
No surprise, the scouts were impressed with how the Leafs bought into coach Craig Berube’s line of thinking in his first year running the bench.
Berube said last week in Buffalo that it was paramount for the Leafs’ leaders to pick it up. Once they did, the team followed.
Adding players such as Anthony Stolarz, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Steven Lorentz — all Cup winners a year ago with Florida — was key.
“Toronto, their big players are going to have to be their big players,” one scout said. “That doesn’t change. But look at the guys around them who have won Stanley Cups. Maybe they weren’t in significant roles (last year), but they were there and know the grind. Maybe their biggest contribution is going to be their experience that they’ve been through it.
“But the Leafs are still going to rely on their big guys. They have to.”
If the Leafs are going to have to find a way to keep a grip on Sens captain Brady Tkachuk, what do the Senators do about the Leafs’ No. 1 line of captain Auston Matthews between Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies?
It’s going to be a significant challenge.
“The Matthews line, if they get in the offensive zone, even if the other team has possession, if there is a turnover, they are like sharks,” one scout said. “They jump all over it. No puck is safe until it’s over the blue line. It’s fun watching them.
“I just like the way the Leafs as a whole play fast. They are getting the puck up quicker. They’re not doing the regroups, they are going north-south, they are not going east-west in the neutral zone as much. I really like that.”
For all the good that Marner does in the regular season, it’s overdue that Marner has a similar impact in the playoffs. One scout said as much, and much of Leafs Nation would agree.
“It’s great that the Leafs had a wonderful season, but I look at Marner being a UFA, there’s quite a bit of pressure on him,” one scout said. “The focus on Marner — it’s step up or shut up.”
NET RESULTS
Stolarz has one Stanley Cup playoff game to his credit.
As for the lack of experience in the NHL’s annual spring tournament for the Leafs’ No. 1 goalie?
Not to worry.
“He has not had too many bad games,” one scout said. “Stolarz has been through it all and he has had a long run. This is his opportunity. I don’t think that will be an issue.
“He doesn’t beat himself. The team is playing well in front of him. I don’t know if it’s a great Leafs defence, but it is good one.
Stolarz’s goal will be to finish each game with at least one more save than Ottawa netminder Linus Ullmark.
“That’s the thing with Ullmark,” one scout said. “He can be hot or cold, but when he is hot, he is really, really good. Like it always is in any series, goaltending is going to be key.”
A CERTAIN SENATORS FORWARD
One of the biggest curiosities heading into the series is the impact that Tkachuk potentially can have.
Along with many of the Senators, it’s the 25-year-old’s first foray into the NHL playoffs.
How the Leafs handle him will be crucial.
“He’s going to stoke the fire, and then he’s going to drag them into the heat,” one scout said. “He’s going to be in full beast mode. That’s scary. If they get confidence from that and they get a bit of an upper hand, there is so much talent on that hockey team that they can go on a run.”
There’s no wondering about what Tkachuk will bring. He led Ottawa with 29 goals in 72 games and also had a team-high 123 penalty minutes.
The skill in Tkachuk’s game is abetted by above-average emotion.
“It could go either way for him,” the other scout said. “The Leafs are probably worried about him, and Ottawa is probably worried he could go off the wrong way. He’s going to give it everything he has.
“I like that about the Leafs — they’re not an emotionally reactive team. From the coach to the players, I think they are professional, so I don’t know if that is concerning for them.
“But this guy is a big-time player, a big-time competitor. Always around the net, always jabbing. They will have a game plan, and they just have to skate away from it.”
THE TANEV EFFECT
One of the scouts put it simply, regarding defenceman Chris Tanev: “Toronto has never really had a guy like him.”
If the Leafs win the series and continue on a deep run, Tanev’s fingerprints will be all over Toronto’s play in the defensive zone, as it was throughout the regular season.
“He’s going to go into pure warrior mode once the puck drops,” one scout said. “There are tent posts that help you win Cups. He’s not a showtime guy. He’s a tent post.”
The Leafs’ play behind their own blue line in Berube’s first year has made them a different club, one that appears to be more prepared for playoff hockey. Tanev is at the head of that.
“Their D is more abrasive,” the other scout said. “Tanev, man, they are a better team with him.
“He’s playing 18-22 minutes against hard guys. You rarely notice him. Guys don’t get around him. He gets back hard for pucks. He makes quick plays. Spend less time in his end.
“He makes it look easy. Looks like he is a true pro. He never looks like he is out of control. Doesn’t let emotion get to him. Just play the game and get off the ice. To me, he is a really key guy.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
Do we finally see the Leafs shrug off their first-round ghosts, which have lingered throughout the era of Matthews, Marner and William Nylander?
Both scouts said yes.
“I applaud the job that (Leafs general manager Brad) Treliving did as far as building a team that looks like a playoff team, top to bottom,” one scout said. “It’s ‘All right, here you go. Let’s get it done now.’ It’s up to the players.”
And the other scout: “It’s going to be a fun series. It’s going to be interesting to see how the first five, 10 minutes of Game 1 plays out. The Leafs have their playoff experience, but you know Ottawa is going to be gung-ho. I’m sure (Sens coach) Travis Green will have his guys ready to go.”
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