It’s getting close to now-or-never time for the Leafs.
“We want to win,” said defenceman Simon Benoit when asked about the mood around the team. “That’s it ... We have to win.”
The Leafs have dropped four straight games (0-3-1) to fall six points out of a playoff spot. On Tuesday, one of the teams they’re chasing, the Buffalo Sabres, will visit Scotiabank Arena.
“It’s a huge game,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly. “We know it. Over the last little bit, we’ve all been looking at the standings and keeping an eye on it a little closer than earlier in the season. It’s getting to be that time when these points are important and trying to make that push.”
The Leafs are 1-4-2 in their last seven games. Toronto has not won a game in regulation since shutting out the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 10.
“It’s a must-win,” said Benoit ahead of Tuesday’s tilt against Buffalo. “Every night is a must-win if you want to make the playoffs.”
Tuesday is Toronto’s final home game before heading out on a four-game trip, which includes stops in Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
“It’s a huge game, obviously,” said coach Craig Berube. “We know that. All of them are. I mean, no different from the Colorado game [Sunday], but heading out on the road tonight, it’d be nice if we could get two points and head out with some confidence.”
Considering the stakes, it will be important to manage the pressure of the moment.
“It’s definitely a big one,” said winger Bobby McMann. “We know the magnitude of it. It’s something that we don’t want to really focus on. We want to focus on playing our game more than anything, and coming out with a good start I think is the biggest thing.”
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Berube met with the team’s leadership group on Monday to emphasize the significance of this moment in the season.
“Just an opportunity to kind of address where we’re at and the importance of tonight and the importance of our games moving forward, and the things we need to work on,” said Rielly, who is an alternate captain. “He has a good way of making that clear. I think, for our group, again, there’s no reason for us to not be at our best tonight, be emotionally invested and to be aware of the points that are at stake, and what they mean.”
What’s the vibe like with the leaders on the team right now?
“They’ve been doing a great job,” McMann said. “They’ve been staying positive, leading the group, pulling guys with them. There’s nothing necessarily more you can ask of those guys. They’ve been great and it falls on everybody on this team to be ready to play and come with a good start.”
Over their last two games combined, the Leafs were outscored by a 4-0 margin within the first 10 minutes of the first period.
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Joseph Woll will make a second straight start for the Leafs on Tuesday.
“I really liked the way he played last game,” Berube said. “I think he’s played pretty well since he’s been back and given us an opportunity most nights to win hockey games.”
Woll stopped 33 of 36 shots in Sunday’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He is 0-2-2 in his last four games.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start for the Sabres. He is 0-5-2 career record against the Leafs.
“They’re getting really good goaltending,” Berube said. “That’s a big key for them. Their goaltending has been really good, and they have the ability to score goals. We all know that. They have a lot of talent, but they’re playing a really good team game, that’s how I see it.”
Buffalo is a league-best 18-3-1 since Dec. 9.
“Just top to bottom everyone’s doing their job, everyone’s having fun out there,” said Sabres winger Josh Doan. “We’re playing fast. Playing fast is something that’s allowed us to have success.”
“We’ve been wearing on teams,” said centre Tage Thompson. “Our identity as a team is our speed. When we’re playing fast and moving the puck north is when we get a lot of our looks. I think for us the only thing that really gets us into trouble is managing the puck so that will be a big thing against Toronto.”
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The Leafs will honour Darryl Sittler and the 50th anniversary of his historic 10-point game before the game. Sittler and former Leafs teammate Tiger Williams met with the players on Tuesday morning.
“It’s a cool opportunity for our guys to add some extra motivation, not that we need any, for tonight,” said Rielly.
Sittler showed off the sweater he wore back in the 1975-76 season when he set the single-game record with a six-goal, four-assist effort in an 11-4 win against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 7, 1976.
McMann’s eyes lit up when talking about seeing the old sweater, which Sittler will wear in the pre-game ceremony.
“Talking about how he had to throw the fight strap on for the Broad Street Bullies, it’s a testament to the type of hockey they were playing at that time,” McMann said. “You can see how weathered the jersey is and how many stitches it has. You know he was playing a hard game.”
Berube felt Sittler’s appearance injected “a little bit of juice” into the dressing room.
“I don’t even have 10 points this year,” said Benoit, who has recorded three assists through 45 games.
Sittler shared some stories from his playing days and attempted to fire up the group.
“The message I said to the players was you don’t achieve anything without your teammates,” Sittler said. “You don’t have [success] on your own. It’s you as a group. It’s important to realize that.”
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Doan is tied for the NHL lead with 35 takeaways this season. What’s the secret to his success?
“Just tracking back hard and not giving up on plays,” said Doan. “I think it’s something you’re taught as a kid is getting over top of pucks and making sure you’re back-checking hard. It’s been something where you can catch guys from behind. Little things like that and then making sure you leave your stick in passing lanes.”
“One of the best players I’ve seen at stripping pucks, causing turnovers,” said centre Tage Thompson, “which is great for me playing with him because I just wait in pockets for him to turn it over and find me there.”
Doan credits fellow Scottsdale, Ariz. native Auston Matthews for helping him refine his takeaway talent.
“Auston’s a guy who has an unbelievable stick,” the 23-year-old said. “Getting a chance to skate with him in the summertime [a few years ago] and experiencing what it’s like to play against him and how frustrating it can be, I tried to take a thing or two from him.”
Matthews leads the Leafs with 21 takeaways this season.
“He’s one of the best in the league at it,” said Thompson. “There’s a reason the puck’s always on his stick. It’s not by accident. He’s probably the best in the league at arriving in those pockets on time. He kind of gets lost behind you.”
Matthews has had at least one point in each of his last 10 games against the Sabres (10 goals and five assists).
“He’s so quick and strong,” said Sabres defenceman Owen Power. “It’s something where if you know he’s trailing you, you gotta be aware and try to get the puck off your stick as quick as possible, honestly.”
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Projected Leafs lines for Tuesday’s game:
McMann - Matthews - Domi
Maccelli - Tavares - Knies
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
McCabe - Ekman-Larsson
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Stecher
Woll starts
Stolarz
