Tavares stable once more and extra Maple Leafs takeaways in beating Kraken

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Revealed Oct 31, 2024 • Final up to date 2 hours in the past • 5 minute learn

William Nylander of the Maple Leafs goes after a unfastened puck in opposition to Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Seattle Kraken through the third interval at Scotiabank Enviornment on October 31, 2024 in Toronto. The Maple Leafs defeated the Kraken 4-1. Photograph by Claus Andersen /Getty Photographs

The easiest way to reply correctly to a powerful victory is to come back out with one other stable effort.

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We wouldn’t name the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win in opposition to the visiting Seattle Kraken on Halloween an ideal efficiency, however there ought to be little quibbling three nights after Toronto ended Winnipeg’s undefeated begin.

Our takeaways from Thursday night time at Scotiabank Enviornment:

HERE’S JOHNNY

If there’s a little stress that has come off John Tavares’ shoulders now that he now not is the captain, we don’t assume the proud veteran would acknowledge as a lot.

There’s one thing constructive happening with the 34-year-old, as he’s off to a superb begin.

In recording two assists, together with an eye-popping cross to William Nylander for the Leafs’ third aim, Tavares has 11 factors in 10 video games. What’s extra, eight of his factors have come at five-on-five. In 80 video games final season, Tavares had 35 factors at five-on-five. Conserving his present tempo is perhaps a problem, however there’s no taking away from the influence Tavares is making as he performs within the closing yr of his contract.

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“He has been unimaginable,” Leafs winger Matthew Knies stated after the win. “He has been all the pieces we would have liked him to be, good on attracts, good across the internet, ideas and getting pictures in.

“It’s exceptional. I really like watching it. He’s a man I can be taught rather a lot from. I’m excited to see what he can do the remainder of season.”

For now, it’s the play of the road of Tavares between William Nylander and Max Pacioretty that has drawn pleasure inside the dressing room and within the fan base. The trio mixed for 9 factors in Winnipeg and adopted that with 5 extra in opposition to Seattle.

About that Tavares cross to Nylander, although. Down on one knee, Tavares managed to get the puck to his linemate for an open-net aim halfway by means of the second interval.

Did Tavares know Nylander was sitting on the again door or did he simply have an concept that Nylander is perhaps there?

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“It’s somewhat little bit of a guess,” Tavares stated. “Because the play is creating, and then you definately get into that spot, you type of have an concept the place guys is perhaps and also you simply attempt to put the puck in a great spot.

“If it doesn’t work out, not less than it provides you a great spot to work to earn it again. However the best way the play type of developed, I believed him or Patch would have drifted to that facet and I’m pleased it labored out.”

Stated Nylander: “I believe we each discover one another each from time to time in an space like that. It was an amazing play by him, and I used to be fortunate to be on the receiving finish of it.”

There was some consternation heading into camp in regards to the Leafs’ depth at centre and the way Tavares would possibly greatest match.

Three weeks into the common season, it’s changing into extra evident there was no purpose to be involved. And whereas the C now not is on his sweater, Tavares’ management has not taken a again seat.

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NYLANDER’S TREATS

That’s eight objectives in 11 video games for Nylander, placing him on tempo for 60. Sustainable? Most likely not.

However although Nylander would love extra ice time, he’s making one of the best of what he has been getting below coach Craig Berube.

“I believe he’s enjoying nice, he’s producing rather well,” Tavares stated. “He’s all the time pushing to be higher, and desires to be a key contributor in all areas. He’s grown rather a lot and develop into a giant chief for us in quite a lot of other ways.”

Nylander had loads of time to document what would have been simply his second Nationwide Hockey League hat trick — we have been stunned to search out upon trying it up that he has only one, coming again in February 2017 in opposition to the Boston Bruins — however it wasn’t to be, regardless of Seattle coach Dan Bylsma pulling goalie Joey Daccord with greater than 5 minutes to play within the third interval.

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“It will have been enjoyable (to attain three),” Nylander stated. “However, you realize, someday.”

What has made the Tavares line so profitable?

“Pacioretty is a bodily participant,” Berube stated. “He’s getting in there and creating quite a lot of area for these guys, for my part.

“JT is de facto sturdy on the puck, doing job there and Willie places it within the internet. It’s a reasonably stable line.”

It’s taking some warmth away from the Auston Matthews line, too. Not that the highest Leafs line of Matthews between Mitch Marner and Knies slouched on Thursday.

A aim by Knies with 5 seconds left within the first, after Matthews gained an offensive-zone draw in opposition to Chandler Stephenson, was giant, giving the Leafs a 1-0 lead and momentum. Matthews handed to Marner, who fed Knies.

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“I believe Tone noticed that he might make that play,” Knies stated in reference to Matthews. “We noticed the recipe. It’s work laborious and get to the web.”

WOLL STEPS UP

Joseph Woll was inside minutes of recording his second NHL shutout when Eeli Tolvanen beat him by means of a display screen with 3 1/2 minutes remaining.

There was no purpose for the goaltender’s shoulders to sag, although, after his first win of the season. He has been sensible in internet after recovering from tightness in his groin, and the Leafs are getting what they desired in aim: A powerful tandem with Woll and Anthony Stolarz.

“A variety of resilience,” Nylander stated, making reference to what he has seen in Woll early within the season. “It may be laborious getting harm like that (within the playoffs final spring), after which preparing for the season, after which getting harm proper earlier than the season beginning.

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“He has been nice that manner. Getting his physique again within the health club on daily basis, and the work ethic is there. That’s why he’s the goalie he’s.”

The Leafs have been structured in entrance of Woll on Thursday, limiting Seattle to a handful of high-danger scoring possibilities at five-on-five.

The 26-year-old Woll has had sufficient accidents to final a profession. By the challenges, his outlook has been terrific.

“I believe now I perceive there’s issues you’ll be able to management and there’s issues you’ll be able to’t, and generally once you get accidents, you’ll be able to’t actually management a lot,” Woll stated. “I do know the work I put in, and I’m assured in that. I believe naturally there’s somewhat little bit of emotion and disappointment and frustration and stuff once you do get harm.

“As a lot as I can, I attempt to enable myself to really feel these issues and be human for a bit. After which it’s important to flip the web page and look to what’s essential to do this day and what will get you again.”