LEAFS NOTES: First place in sight, but no time for complacency with schedule toughening
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LEAFS NOTES: First place in sight, but no time for complacency with schedule toughening Back to video
The Maple Leafs aren’t about to knock the political discourse in Washington D.C., and Ottawa off centre stage this week with all the talk about elections past and future.
But the team is a hot topic in its district as it prepares to engage both national capitals in a bid to win over a public unconvinced it is worthy of a vote to challenge defending Stanley Cup champion Florida for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Leafs trail the Panthers by three points, though were this the Original Six NHL, they would be high on themselves for beating Boston, Detroit and Montreal on this week’s streak — part of a 9-5-2 start with new coach Craig Berube.
That matches the 1992-93 Leafs under Pat Burns for best start of a full season by a new bench boss over the past 30 years.
However, the competition stiffens this week. The .500 Senators are here, then it’s on the road a night later to face old nemesis Alex Ovechkin and the Caps in Ovie’s renewed pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record.
Connor McDavid and the modern-day Oilers make their only visit on Saturday, just getting their act together with a 7-2 slap-down of Vancouver on Saturday night.
Berube is ever vigilant about complacency, letting his charges hear it on the bench when they opened Saturday’s third period against the Habs relaxing with a 4-1 lead.
“I thought we were a little light coming out of our zone at times,” he said, a term he hates using in direct contrast to the “heavy’” style he wants them to embrace.
“We weren’t getting through the neutral zone to the offensive zone, started playing (too fancy) off the end of our stick, turning pucks over instead of making strong plays with it.
“There was no reason for it. Even though we have leads, we have to keep playing the same way. That’s all.”
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WHAT’S MY LINEUP?
After getting Sunday off following six games in 10 nights, the Leafs will return to practice Monday hoping for good news on the injury front.
Auston Matthews (upper body) missed the past three games, though the rolling Leafs did not appear to miss their leading scorer all that much. There should also be some kind of update on winger Max Pacioretty, who had to be helped to the dressing room with an apparent leg muscle pull on Saturday.
Waiting in the wings is Connor Dewar, activated off injured reserve last week and defenceman Jani Hakanpaa, who has wrapped up his conditioning stint with the Marlies.
General manager Brad Treliving is already being challenged to find an opening for veteran defencemen Philippe Myers and Matt Benning, with a trade or waivers looming.
CHEERING FOR CHASE
One of Berube’s best friends in St. Louis, former Leaf and Blues broadcaster Kelly Chase, is facing a second round in his battle with leukemia.
“I’m ready to fight again,” the 57-year-old Chase posted on ‘X’.
“I saw him in St. Louis and we talked about that,” Berube said of the Leafs game there on Oct. 23. “He’s a great friend, a battler and he’ll get through it. I wish him all the best.”
LEST WE FORGET
Alternate captain John Tavares was quite touched by Saturday’s pre-game presence of several Toronto-area Second World War veterans for a Remembrance Day observance — men and women aged 99 to 100.
“They’re all looking pretty good for their age, that was pretty impressive,” Tavares said. “It makes you stop and appreciate living in Canada, the freedom and rights they fought for. That’s so important and we take that for granted on a daily basis when so many have gone and served to give me and us the opportunity to play hockey.”
POILE COMES ‘HOME’
Of the seven Hockey Hall of Fame inductees this weekend, only David Poile has a Toronto birth certificate.
His father and fellow Hall of Famer, Bud Poile, played for the Leafs between 1942-48 and was a member of their 1947 Stanley Cup team.
His nomadic playing and coaching days later took him across the continent, including every Original Six team except Montreal.
Just don’t ask David for any childhood Hogtown anecdotes.
“I only lived here until I was three,” the Nashville Predators’ senior adviser said this week at the Hall. “I know I was born at Wellesley Hospital (the 74-year-old laughed when told it’s now a seniors care facility) and we lived somewhere north of the Gardens. Dad went from Toronto to Glace Bay, Tulsa and Edmonton.”
STEEVES SOARS, STALKS RECORD
Forward Alex Steeves scored two goals and had two assists on Sunday to tie Ryan Hamilton for second place in Toronto Marlies’ career scoring with 166 points in the farm club’s 5-4 overtime loss at Charlotte. Steeves is three points away from passing Kris Newbury for the franchise record in the 2000s since it relocated to Toronto.
Steeves has nine goals this season, with Fraser Minten, the Leafs’ first pick in the 2022 draft, getting his second assist of the year on the second goal. Artur Akhtyamov made 26 saves in net.
X: @sunhornby
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