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The Maple Leafs lastly slew their division rivals from Boston, however winger William Nylander was in ’let’s hold it actual’ mode.
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“It’s one recreation, it’s common season,” he stated after the 4-0 win Tuesday evening at Scotiabank Area.
Our takeaways:
MORE POWER TO YA
After falling to close the basement in NHL energy play rankings, the Leafs struck 3 times, led by Matthew Knies. He couldn’t have been a greater poster boy for head coach Craig Berube’s fixed harping on the group being “extra direct”, screening on Morgan Rielly’s objective and including one among his personal.
“We’ve been speaking about issues we will enhance on, in visitors and photographs, and in that dialog he performed a giant position,” praised Rielly.
Knies stated net-front presence was one among his specialties enjoying on the College of Minnesota, nevertheless it took Auston Matthews lacking Tuesday with a nagging upper-body harm to get that position beneath new coach Craig Berube. In fact, the NCAA didn’t have large defenders and massive goalies attempting to cut him down in a turf warfare.
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“I’m a much bigger participant (6-3) and wish to take (the goalie’s) eyes away, make performs down there,” Knies stated. “ I’ll let the talent guys take the skin, put my stick in an excellent space and allow them to discover me.
“We’re simply getting extra pucks on web. You noticed that with Willy (Nylander) getting a tip off their very own man and he finds me by the web.”
The Leafs ended an extended stoop with a man-advantage objective in Minnesota that utiliized 5 forwards, however Matthews’s absence meant defenceman Rielly was again on the purpose with a keen Knies within the trenches.
“It was superb,” stated Berube of the primary unit, glad to alter the topic from October’s futility. “A shot from the purpose (Rielly’s), one other with a shot, display, objective. It was fairly easy, however I believed they moved it round effectively, Mitch Marner made an awesome play to Knies again door that might’ve been a objective.”
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STOLARZ STARS
Anthony Stolarz survived an early stinger shot off an unprotected a part of his higher shoulder to make 29 saves for his ninth NHL shutout, first as a Leaf. Brad Marchand, who has damaged the Leafs just a few occasions with late objectives was 0-for-3 on seven complete shot makes an attempt, Stolarz kicking out his huge blue pillows a few occasions.
“I’m most glad we beat a division group,” Stolarz stated. “It makes it simpler when you possibly can see. The blokes did a extremely good job boxing out so I might see the preliminary launch and gobble up any possibilities.”
Stolarz additionally will get separated sufficient from his objective stick sufficient to suppose the Leaf gear males ought to give him some mitten strings to hold onto it. However he stated folks ought to get used to seeing it laying across the crease, out of attain.
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“It’s simply the best way I play,” the 6-foot-7 Jersey native stated. “The battle, the depth. Groups will clearly throw a whole lot of our bodies at me and the time it takes me to carry it round or carry it over folks is usually the distinction between the puck entering into or not.
“I really feel snug enjoying with out it and the pads right now sort of seal up so there’s actually no holes. You don’t need to lose it, however on the finish of the day it’s extra of a aggressive factor for me. I simply need to cease the puck.”
BRUINS STREAK RUINED
After two shutouts coming into Toronto, their time beyond regulation win over the Leafs 10 days in the past, a part of seven straight common season wins, the Bruins have been ready so as to add to the playoff distress of final spring’s Recreation 7 heartbreaker. Tuesday night, it was completely different.
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“These guys have had us for a bit now,” Knies stated. “We’re all a little bit bit annoyed in right here, needed to get bodily and get on them. It went each methods, we’re each indignant at one another, it’s very emotional. I’m not shocked there have been performs after the whistle (and so many penalties).
“It sucks shedding your finest participant (Matthews), however everybody stepped up and we confirmed we had a whole lot of depth. We had the higher of them within the particular groups’ division (six kills).”
Stolarz known as it in all probability the Leafs’ most full recreation of the yr.
“They’re an excellent group, we all know they’ll try to grind us down bodily. We needed to match their depth.”
Although Max Domi gained’t exchange Matthews’ scoring, he had no bother mixing it up with Marchand greater than the Leaf captain would have.
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