COLUMBUS — The Maple Leafs now give out a basketball to their game MVP, borrowing a tradition from the NBA-champion Toronto Raptors.
On Friday, it could have been split between three-point-man Mitch Marner, with his Harlem Globetrotters wizardry on the power play, Frederik Andersen’s 28 saves, Morgan Rielly’s three assists or even Andreas Johnsson for the body contact he initiated.
But much of Friday’s 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets was focused on Jason Spezza, who was put in a position of re-writing an NHL entrance exam at age 36. In his first game as a Leaf, after Wednesday’s controversial scratching by coach Mike Babcock for opening night, Spezza played a mostly effective 10:36, after clocking in at barely two minutes in the opening period.
“You judge your nights differently now,” Spezza said of the reduced role he was willing to accept to be a Leaf. “We (his fourth line with Frederik Gauthier and Nic Petan) are trying to be a positive influence, make sure we’re getting D-zone assignments, get out quick and be good on both ends of special teams.”
To that end, Spezza had four minutes on the kill (often out for just the first faceoff), but some power-play work, too. His push on David Savard led to the Columbus penalty and Marner’s opening goal, while his line forced an icing and the tired Jackets gave up Cody Ceci’s first as a Leaf.
“I thought Spezza was real happy to be doing what he’s doing,” said Babcock. “He was great on the bench, great on the ice and good in the room. Their centre was on the ice for 1:30 (as Spezza’s line helped wear the Jackets down).”
That said, Babcock said his rotation goes back into effect on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens with Nick Shore in for Spezza, Dmytro Timashov for Petan and Martin Marincin on defence for Justin Holl.
Marner had the Jackets and their fans gasping in disbelief when he dashed out of the corner for his third-period goal, beating a couple of defenders and finding a shooting lane. His first goal took just seven seconds from the start of a power play after John Tavares won the draw back to Rielly.
“I worked a lot this summer on getting that puck in my hands and getting it off quicker,” Marner said. “Not making pretty plays, just trying to get it to the net.”
The win at Nationwide Arena spoiled the home opener for 18,776 fans. Auston Matthews added the
Leafs’ second power-play goal late in the third, his third of the season and another off his quick off-wing release.
Among Andersen’s key saves, as the Jackets registered close to 50 shot attempts, was getting an arm on a Josh Anderson breakaway. He lost track of the airborne rebound landed atop his cage but he conveniently backed into the net to dislodge it, just in case.
Getting Friday’s assignment sets up Michael Hutchinson to play his first game Saturday at home against Montreal.
But Andersen didn’t help himself in the second period with Rielly in the box. Spezza won the draw back towards the Leafs net, but Andersen couldn’t fish the puck out and Cam Atkinson had lots of room. It was the sixth straight season opener Atkinson has scored in, tying Yvan Cournoyer (1973-79) and Mud Bruneteau (1940-46), the only NHLers to do it.
The hungry Jackets, trying to prove they’re still in the playoff hunt after losing Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Sergei Bobrovsky to free agency, had a few other chances before the period ended, Boone Jenner being stopped low on a short-handed breakaway.
“You want to try and see what they’re doing and be calm that way,” Andersen said of staring down foes.
As for Saturday he said: “You guys probably see the pattern (for when Hutchinson will start), we have a lot of confidence in him, too.”
After a total of nine games against non-playoff teams from last year, including the regular-season opener against Ottawa, the Leafs spent the first period on their heels, getting swarmed, Columbus forwards behind their defence and killing two penalties.
The win, meanwhile, was a milestone for Babcock, his 693rd NHL coaching victory, passing Dick Irvin for sole possession of eighth place.
Ceci was thrilled to get his first as a Leaf, saying the gala opening and his first game were a little overwhelming when he was trying to concentrate on hockey. He figures he’ll have the puck mounted for his den, next to his first as a Senator.
“Those two would be pretty rare,” agreed Ceci. “But times are changing.”
MATTHEWS BECOMING A TWO-WAY THREAT
Ten days after Auston Matthews made headlines for the wrong reasons, Mike Babcock puts him in a different light.
“I think he has the chance to be the best two-way centre in hockey,” the coach told reporters before Matthews scored his third goal of the year, and second on the power play, in Game 2 of the season here Friday.
“(It’s) his speed through the middle of the rink on offence and his ability to play defence fast so he doesn’t have to spend any time on defence, his ability to check it back in the O-zone,” Babcock continued. “The shot (that’s produced 114 career goals) and all the things people talk about, he (already) has those. What you’re trying to do is build out your program so you’re an absolute, complete player. That’s our focus and, in the end, you win championships like that and that’s what he wants to do.”
After a long summer for the Leafs following the elimination by Boston, Matthews’ further improvement on his deadly release became a talking point after a strong pre-season. He and Marner, who’ve switched sides on the power play after it became stale last season, are finding new avenues to pass and shoot.
“It’s everything overall, his skating, passing, shooting,” Marner said before the Columbus game. “Like everyone, he just wanted to get better when he went home this summer.”
During 5-on-5 play, Matthews has developed a rhythm with Andreas Johnsson and William Nylander. Johnsson was also singled out by Matthews, Marner and goalie Frederik Andersen for the screening he provides on the power play — and the punishment from the opposition that goes with it.
“That’s just as valuable,” Andersen insisted after Joonas Korpisalo of the Jackets had to fight through Johnsson to track the Marner and Matthews’ goals. “He’s done that a few times. I don’t know if the goalie would’ve stopped it anyway, but the presence of a guy in front is very important.”
Added Matthews: “Johnny is tenacious, always on the puck. He has a small body but he’s not afraid to go into the corners and battle and a lot of times he’ll come out with the puck.”
from Sports - Latest - Google News https://ift.tt/35993Wk
via IFTTT
October 05, 2019 at 10:26AM
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar