Maple Leafs proceed spectacular development in win over Canadiens

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Three down, one to go.

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A Maple Leafs victory towards the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday capped a tidy three-game run at residence towards Atlantic Division foes, coming after the Leafs beat Detroit on Friday and Boston on Tuesday.

A four-game sweep of rivals, if you’ll, is within the playing cards because the Leafs play host to the Ottawa Senators this coming Tuesday of their subsequent recreation.

“While you’re taking part in groups in your division and jockeying for place in how the playoff format is ready up and all these kinds of issues, (the factors are) necessary,” Leafs centre John Tavares stated after scoring his eighth objective of 2024-25 within the 4-1 win towards Montreal at Scotiabank Area. “It’s simply the best way the schedule has been arrange this week. Again at residence, taking part in in entrance of our followers, we need to play effectively, feed off that and be actually good in our personal barn. A superb week throughout however we all know we nonetheless have lots of areas to get higher in and hold pushing for extra.”

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Coach Craig Berube gained’t get too nit-picky because the Leafs have improved to 9-5-2 and brought up residence in second place within the Atlantic Division.

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There are encouraging indicators that the Leafs are getting Berube’s system down pat, irrespective of who’s within the lineup. That the Leafs gained three in a row with out captain Auston Matthews, and the style by which they did it, speaks to the workforce’s depth and understanding of what Berube needs. Remember, too, that Toronto allowed simply two targets in its previous three video games, and neither of them got here at five-on-five.

On the similar time, the Leafs are killing the thought — how a lot inventory you place into it’s as much as you once they’ve yearly been a 100-point membership — that they’ve bother with lesser groups. The Canadiens aren’t an excellent outfit and gave the Leafs little in the best way of a problem, 24 hours after Toronto ably dealt with the Purple Wings.

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One of the best groups put their foot down towards the botom-feeders. Don’t put the Bruins in that class, nevertheless it’s the place Detroit and Montreal discover themselves. A lot for expectations in these Unique Six cities coming into the season.

“We’re actually doing an excellent job within the slot space and we’re heavy down low in our zone,” Berube stated. “Our D are doing an important job of killing performs and our forwards are defending the center of the ice very well and that’s key. That’s what it’s important to do.”

Make it work now, and shifting ahead with it within the playoffs needs to be pretty seamless. There’s loads of hockey to be performed, after all, however the Leafs proceed to interpret Berube’s message correctly.

The Senators may have some constructive vibes after beating the Bruins in additional time on Saturday at TD Backyard. If the Leafs, who may have Matthews again for that recreation, proceed on their defensively stingy path, how Ottawa feels about its play shouldn’t matter.

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Anthony Stolarz has been there in objective to make a distinction when there was a uncommon breakdown. On Saturday, it was Joseph Woll’s flip, and he wanted to make simply 20 saves.

Marner, who had a objective and an help on Saturday to run his level streak to eight video games and provides him 20 in 16 video games, was glad with the Leafs’ total tidiness within the 24-hour span on Friday and Saturday.

“Undoubtedly,” Marner stated. “All the time good to get back-to-back 4 factors. Gotta be proud of it, relaxation up and be prepared for the following one.”

With the best way the Leafs, who’ve a full time without work on Sunday earlier than returning to apply on Monday, are meshing in all aspects of the sport, that shouldn’t be an issue.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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