Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable
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‘I Want To Get Him Back In There’: Why Maple Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz Will Start Against Hurricanes
Resuming NHL action, goaltender Anthony Stolarz gets the nod for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 31-year-old occupied the starter’s net at the Maple Leafs’ morning practice on Saturday at Scotiabank Arena, signaling his return to the crease as the club returns from a two-week break.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed the decision post-practice, citing Stolarz’s lengthy time off and upcoming back-to-back as the key reasons for the start – stating that goalie partner Joseph Woll would play Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“When he played, he'd come back and played, and then he didn't end up playing that last game. So he's had a lot of time off,” said Berube. “I want to get him back in there, and we got back-to-back games so that both can play.”
It marks his second start since being sidelined with an injury to repair a ‘loose body’ in his knee in December, causing him to miss eight weeks. Stolarz was stellar in his return on February 6 in Seattle against the Kraken, making 26 saves and posting an impressive .963 save percentage in a 3-1 Leafs victory.
Stolarz has impressed in limited action this season, posting a 10-5-2 record with a 2.08 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. When healthy, Toronto’s goaltending tandem has been among the league's best.
The pair has managed to cover for one another when injuries have occurred, providing stability for the club when needed as they rank second in the Atlantic Division with a 33-20-2 record and 68 points.
The 6-foot-6 netminder was “excited” to get some action before the 4 Nations Face-off break and he’ll look to repeat his performance against Carolina on Saturday night – with the club hoping to redeem themselves from a 6-3 January loss to the Hurricanes.
“I think we shot ourselves in the foot in that game,” explained Berube. “We played a good first period and did some real good things, but they come at you. They're a pressure team. We all know that. They're in your face. They don't give you a lot of room, and I thought the second period they took the game over. So we've got to handle that pressure better, and simplify our game.”
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'It's Definitely Up There': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Prepares One Of The Biggest Games Of His Life As USA Battles Mitch Marner's Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off
Of all four nations taking part in the tournament, nothing is more anticipated than Canada taking on the United States of America.
Canada is set to take on the United States of America as round-robin play continues in Montreal at the 4 Nations Face-Off. USA team captain Auston Matthews spoke to the media just before both countries square off and discussed a matter of topics including:
- Excitement and Atmosphere surrounding the game
- Where team chemistry has come along after one game
- Going against Leafs teammate
- The booing of the American anthem and more.
Q: What are you expecting tonight?
"Yeah, I think you can expect it's going to be a pretty great atmosphere. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be intense. I mean I think it's something that everybody's really looking forward to on both sides. We know the building's going to be rocking and it's going to be a lot of fun."
Q: What makes this rivalry special for you?
"I mean I think it goes back a long time. There's a lot of pride in all these countries. I think especially Canada here and in the US, between their pride in their hockey and all that stuff that goes into it. I mean there's some pretty amazing players on all four teams on both sides. I think in these kinds of formats, the best-on-best. I mean we obviously share a border with Canada. So I think that rivalry is always going to be there. It's always going to be an intense match up."
Q: What have you liked beyond the hockey about Montreal?
"I mean it's a great hockey town. It's been pretty cold here, a lot of snow. But we spend a lot of time here. We play here quite a bit throughout the season. So you kind of have an idea of the restaurants you like to go to and stuff like that. It's been nice to have my parents here and spend some time with them. You know it's been pretty busy though but in the off time that you do have, it's nice to spend time with the guys, spend time with your family."
Q: What do you think about your line with Jake (Guentzel) and Jack (Hughes)?"I thought we were moving the puck really well. I thought we created some really good opportunities. I thought we were good in our own zone. You know I think just the chemistry seems to be jelling pretty well there and just want to continue to get better tonight and continue to push positive steps forward.":
Q: You get booed here all the time. You seem to have a little bit of that. But the anthem stuff is a little bit different. What's your take on booing the anthem?
" I mean I'm not really going to get into that too much. It's you know obviously don't love to see that. But it is what it is. It's out of our control. But that's all I'm really going to say about it."
Q: What's the key to stopping Mitch tonight?
"Yeah I mean he's obviously a special player. You just got to try to take away his time and space as well as a lot of these guys on this team that play with a lot of pace. They got a lot of skill. They like to attack and challenge you one at once. So just trying to keep them in front of you as much as possible."
Q: Also obviously you had a lot of expectations for this tournament. Has anything taken you by surprise with the level or the intensity or anything?
"I don't think so. I mean I think as players coming into this I think we expected it to be really intense. It wasn't going to be like a... I don't know. I think maybe people thought it was just going to be not as intense or not as... Guys weren't going to be into it as much. But I think it's the complete opposite. And I think it was pretty evident that first game Canada-Sweden. And I know our mindset here all week has been... as well as I'm sure every other team... is that you're coming here to win this tournament. You're coming here to compete and play for your country. And I think that there's a lot on the line. And obviously not putting things... You know the cart before the horse. But with next year in the Olympics. I mean this is a good trial run. And obviously a lot of us want to continue to play for your country and represent and have the opportunity to play there. So... I definitely think it's been about on par with what we've all expected. That was going to be some really good hockey. Exciting hockey. And that it was going to be very passionate and very intense."
Q: What can you think about the third period that went very well for you guys? Have you guys talked about that third period? What you did well and what you want to reproduce tonight?
"Yeah, we've definitely talked about it. I mean I think there's a lot of good things we did through the first and second. There's always things you want to clean up. But... I think that third period was a good... A good recipe of how we want to play. And... You know, not over-complicating things. But you know, using our size, our speed, our skill, getting to the net. I mean... All these teams have great players and they make it difficult on you at times. So... You know, goals are scored at the net and I thought we did a good job of getting there, especially in the third."
Q: Especially maybe with the Tkachuk brothers. Like what stood about seeing them together on the same line and what they were able to do?
"Yeah, it's pretty cool. It's pretty cool. And I'm sure they're enjoying it just as much... Or more than anybody could imagine. So it's been pretty cool to see them... You know, kind of mesh there in that second, third period. And obviously, you know, both their playing styles are pretty similar. You know, the way they play the game, they... They make it difficult on you. And so... I know I saw... Zach (Werenski) said it's already annoying playing against one of them. I can't imagine the both of them on the same line. So it's... I thought that quote was, you know, pretty perfect for... You know, just the way those two guys compete and play. It's been fun to see."
Q: What does it do for your line with them playing at that level right now?
"Well, I mean, I think it elevates everybody. Everybody wants to push and... You know, create and stuff like that. But I think, you know, you see the intensity and the fire that those guys play with. And I think it raises everybody's level too."
Q: Is this the biggest game of your life?
"I mean, I think I've played in some pretty big games. Obviously, Game 7s and stuff like that. But I mean, I just think with the history, this is my first opportunity playing in a game. USA vs. Canada at this level. So, I mean, it's definitely up there."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qoHB26Whg[/embed]
Q: How much does a moment like this help you in terms of developing more as a player? But very bigger moments down the road.
Yeah, definitely. I think it's just everything that goes into it. You just want to embrace it. You want to go out there and just compete. Have fun. I mean, these are the moments that I think you dream about and you think about as a kid growing up. You know, being able to represent your country is obviously very special. And the rivalry goes back a long time. So, just making the most of it. Having fun and going out there and just competing.
Q: There's been a lot of push, obviously, from the players themselves to return to international best-on-best. And I'm just curious, like, what does it feel like to have the fruits of your labor really materializing?
"It feels great. Yeah, it feels great. You know, I think it's been a long time coming. It's, you know, fortunate to play on that World Cup North America team. But, you know, it's been a long time since a lot of us have been able to represent our country at this level. You know, aside from like a World Championships. But, you know, this is definitely probably a different atmosphere, different intensity, different level. So, you know, it definitely is very special."
Q: What kind of game are you guys expecting tonight? I mean, obviously, fans are looking at all these star players and figuring it's going to be a shootout. But it seems like it's pretty tough to get to the net.
A: "Yeah, I mean, I expect it to be fast and physical. And, you know, both teams have so much high-end skill. So I think there's going to be such an emphasis on trying to obviously limit those high-end guys. And like I said, just keeping them in front of you as much as possible because they're dangerous."
Q: What does Zach (Werenski) bring to your power play unit? And what's like the key for you guys once you get on the main advantage?
"Yeah, he's incredible. He really just moves honestly like the way he stick handles and everything is to me it's almost like a forward. But obviously, he's got the size and he skates so well and he defends well. And I mean, on the power play, he's extremely deceptive. He's got a great shot. He's a dual threat at all times. And he moves it very quick. So definitely got to be ready when he's out there because he snaps it pretty quickly. But I'm excited. I thought, you know, the reps we got in the third period there were good. And, you know, today in practice had some good looks. So I just want to, you know, continue to build that momentum that we had the other night because the main advantages are really important, especially in games and situations like these."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qoHB26Whg[/embed]
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Why The Maple Leafs Are Keeping 'Puck Dominant' Line Of William Nylander John Tavares And Mitch Marner Together Against Canucks Despite Criticism From Coach
The line played together as a trio for the first time against the Seattle Kraken, but it was anything but smooth.
VANCOUVER — Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was critical of how his new second line performed despite coming up with a 3-1 win against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
"I thought they were fine, but I thought they could execute it better on some situations that they didn't," Berube said after the game.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHhJrc5KPy4[/embed]
With Mitch Marner returning from a one-game rest due to lower-body spasms, Berube opted to place Marner on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander. But he clearly expected better. It was hardly a glowing endorsement from a trio of players with a combined salary cap hit over $33 million.
Despite that, the Leafs practiced with the trio together again at UBC Thunderbird Arena in Vancouver ahead of their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday.
The Nylander-Tavares-Marner line had an expected-goals rating of 35 percent in 10:40 of even-strength ice time, according to NaturalStatTrick.com in Thursday's win.
So why run it back?
Max Domi is effective with Auston Matthews
After Marner was forced to miss a game due to a spasming lower-body injury, the Leafs saw better play out of Max Domi. The latter was shifted from center to the wing the play with Matthews and Matthew Knies. They were effective again on Thursday with a team-best 85 percent expected-goals rating as a line.
Untapped potential
Tavares has had success with both Nylander and Marner as separate pairs with a puck retrieving winger. They haven't skated together for whole games as a trio. In Tavares' words, it sounds like they just need some time to gel given both wingers like to have the puck.
"Those two guys (are) very puck dominant, obviously so good with it and make so many plays," Tavares said. "So just understanding, at times when you don't have, maybe the time and space to make a play, certainly through the neutral zone, and then the efforts again on the forecheck and earning pucks back and just making the simple plays, the simple reads, not always about making the high-end play or the highlight reel type of pass or tic-tac-toe look you're looking for."
Translation? Each forward has to figure out who is going to be the player getting into the dirty areas or going to the middle of the ice. It looked disjointed against the Kraken.
When you have that much talent on one line it doesn't always work. The Leafs tried a 'Super Line' earlier this season with Nylander and Marner playing alongside Matthews and it didn't work well.
But after one more try, the Leafs will break for the 4 Nations Face-Off where things are bound to be revisited
"If they execute, you know, the line could be very dangerous, for sure," Berube said.
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'You Get A Different Look At Everything': Why The Maple Leafs Are Putting William Nylander At Left Wing Against Kraken
Nylander is on a three-game goal streak and scored a hat trick on Tuesday against the Flames.
When William Nylander lines up against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward will be in a different spot.
It won't be in the middle, which the Maple Leafs tried during training camp but didn't stick with. It also won't be on the right wing of either Auston Matthews or John Tavares.
Instead, the 28-year-old will skate on the left side of Tavares, on a line with him and Mitch Marner, who returns to the lineup after missing Toronto's 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
The line of Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, and Max Domi will remain intact entering Thursday's game.
Of course, Nylander has found himself on the left wing during games, but it's been a while since the forward has lined up in that spot for an entire contest.
"You get a different look at everything. I like playing the off-wing a little bit more," Nylander said after the morning skate in Seattle. "We'll see how it goes tonight."
While it's about seeing what a trio of Nylander, Tavares, and Marner can do, it's also about keeping Toronto's first line of Knies, Matthews, and Domi together. The three players combined for five points and a plus-three rating against the Flames.
"I thought they had a real good game," Berube said Thursday. "I liked Max on the line. Felt like he had more juice in the game, so I want to keep him going."
Nylander impacts the game in any position. Whether it's center or on the wing, the forward capitalizes on his opponents by using his speed through the middle of the ice to beat defenders and create scoring chances.
That's why, one day after Berube said Nylander could win the Rocket Richard, he put the forward on the left wing.
"Well, a little bit of a different look for him with his shot, for sure. Also, just in his own end, I think he can be the type of guy that can take pucks off the wall on his forehand, get to middle ice, make some plays, come out of our zone," the head coach said.
"That was the other thing I was thinking about. And just the way it worked out with Mitch playing there with those guys. With JT, I mean, on the right side, I wanted to keep Willy on that line, so I moved him to the left."
Marner mentioned that he and Nylander have played together "a handful of times." The one thing Marner will use to his advantage is the Swede's speed within the open ice.
"We're both right-wingers, but obviously with his skill set and his speed out there, for me, I'm going to try to really utilize that and get him in good spots with the puck in his hands with open ice," Marner said.
"Johnny, you know what you're getting: Consistency. A guy that anytime in the slot that gets a puck, he's got a chance to score. And around the net, he's great at tipping pucks and stuff like that. So, yeah, it'll be fun. I'm excited."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pnaaQ3HFNk[/embed]
Nylander scored his second-career hat trick on Tuesday in Calgary, eight years to the day since his last three-goal game. He's now up to 33 goals and 22 assists for 55 points in 53 games this season.
The forward is five goals behind Leon Draisaitl for the league lead. If there's anything we've learned about Nylander over his career, it's that he strives when he's thrown into different positions.
We'll likely see the same on Thursday in Seattle when he attempts to draw closer to Draisaitl in the goal category.
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'It Was Just A Spasm Thing': Mitch Marner Returns To Maple Leafs Lineup Against Kraken, Explains Injury That Kept Him Out Against The Flames
Marner didn't want to get into specifics on the lower-body injury but noted it had nothing to do with his previous game.
SEATTLE — Mitch Marner will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup when the club visits the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday.
The star forward missed Toronto's 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday due to a lower-body injury. While Marner didn't want to reveal specifically what had forced him out, he did say the injury did not occur during his last game, Toronto's 4-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
"Nothing to do with the game. I really don't know. We had a great off day at the Nordic Spa in Calgary. I don't know if people think that maybe going in the tubs or something was how it acted. I don't know. It was weird," Marner explained. "I'm not sure how it really happened. It was just bizarre. It kind of felt to come on the night before the Calgary game. Yeah, it was just weird."
That's good news for Marner, who is set to take part for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament later this month.
"It was just a spasm thing," Marner said. "There was nothing about that game, how it happened. It was bizarre. It was great after the game the next day too. And then, yeah, it just kind of sprung upon the following day. It was crazy."
The Leafs took a cautious approach with their leading scorer. Marner has 70 points in 52 games with the Maple Leafs this season. He will return on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, as head coach Craig Berube looks to build off the momentum seen from Max Domi playing on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
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