The Maple Leafs (optional) and Dallas Stars skated at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.
When Leafs winger Nick Robertson faced his older brother, Stars winger Jason Robertson, for the first time in the NHL last season, he was distracted by the occasion.
"Just a lot of focusing on him and less on what I had to do," Nick recalled of the game on March 15. "You're playing your brother for the first time, it's kind of a mental thing. But now, more’s at stake. More of an opportunity this year than last year, so I'm trying to focus on the game and having a good game."
Nick, 21, is coming off a tremendous training camp, which saw him score three goals and pick up five assists in five pre-season games. In a cap-influenced move, he was sent down to the American Hockey League to start the regular season.
An injury to Matt Murray, who's on long-term injured reserve, gave the Leafs some flexibility and opened the door to Robertson's return. He will start Thursday's game on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander.
"He had a great camp," said Jason. "Unfortunately, he wasn't able to make the starting lineup, but that only fuelled him. The type of player he is, he's going to show them what they were kind of missing out [on] tonight. It should be a lot of fun to watch."
In the past, it felt like Nick tried too hard to make an impression. Since arriving at training camp this year, he has spoken consistently about simplifying his game.
"We've seen the growth and maturity in his game," observed coach Sheldon Keefe, "and a bit of a recognition that he doesn't have to take on everything every shift and feel like every shot has to go in the net. There's an understanding of the process and the patience that has to come with just being consistent and going out shift after shift and doing what the game calls for and what the system calls for. We've seen him take really big steps in that regard from the start of camp."
"He's still young," Jason, 23, pointed out. "He always wants to keep pushing and pushing to make that next step and I think this is his year."
In the first sibling showdown, neither brother hit the scoresheet in Toronto's 4-0 win. It's a much different feel this time around.
"That was definitely kind of a buildup," Jason said. "Parents came. Something you mark on your calendar. He just got called up recently and, also, I just got back two weeks ago [after ending a contract stalemate], so we didn't have all the focus on [this] game. This time it's more focusing on the game and trying to win the game rather than seeing my little brother on the other side of the ice."
The Stars arrived in Toronto late on Wednesday night, so the brothers didn't get a chance to meet up, which is another difference from March.
Nick is looking forward to seeing Jason after the game.
"He's going to be buzzing all around," predicted Leafs winger Michael Bunting. "I'm sure he wants some bragging rights. He'll bring a lot of energy. I expect a big game out of him."
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A big game is expected from all the Leafs players following a disappointing home loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday.
"Tonight's big," said defenceman T.J. Brodie. "The boys will be ready to come out and play the way that we know we're capable of."
"I feel like today everybody's ready to go," said winger Calle Jarnkrok. "We're coming out hungry today, for sure."
"Expecting a big response," echoed Bunting.
Keefe lay blame at the feet of Toronto's elite players in the immediate aftermath of Monday's loss before walking back those comments on Wednesday. What are the Dallas Stars expecting?
"A team that's looking to bounce back," said forward Tyler Seguin. "A team that had their elite players kind of called out. I'm not really sure if it was called out or taken back. I don't really know, but you expect them to be ready."
Keefe's comments continued to provoke questions on Thursday morning.
"It is probably more of a reflection of coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs and dealing with [the media] than anything — just to make sure that the way I am communicating is more clear," Keefe said when asked what prompted Wednesday's clarification. "The reaction to the comments was not what I was trying to communicate. It is more so about managing the media than the players."