(Toronto) There are several things that jump out at you when you walk into the Maple Leafs locker room somewhere in the suburbs of Toronto.
First, we notice that all the players are there, and that they are obviously in a very good mood, which all the same contrasts with the tense atmosphere of previous years, which we could too often feel .
Then, we notice that there are a lot of people, especially on the side of the lockers where the defenders are staying. This is not an illusion: since the start of the season, the Leafs have asked no less than 12 defenders to wear a game jersey because of injuries. Among these, a certain Filip Kral, fifth-round pick in 2018, who had to go through here urgently for two games.
This situation would be a disaster almost everywhere, but not in Toronto, where the club with the maple leaf, despite these pitfalls, is showing up in fourth place in the general classification of the National League.
When we lose one of our guys in defense, we expect more from the other defenders. All the guys are expected to put in more effort. The defensive structure is in place, the system too. All we have to do is run our games. That’s what we did, and I would say that gives us confidence for the end of the season.
Morgan Rielly
Rielly, of course, needs no introduction, his colleague Mark Giordano too, he who once collected a Norris Trophy in the jersey of the Calgary Flames. But we agree, the reputation of this club is not that of a defensive club, and the series of injuries on the blue line could have led to something very ugly.
It was not the case.
“Because we have depth in this formation, replied Giordano. There are guys here who have to be sidelined every night but could play in this league on a regular basis. I also think that it is this depth that will help us with what follows. »
The following ? Ah! yes, next. Around here, this evocation of the sequel, and of spring in general, is often something we prefer to avoid, for obvious reasons. But the young Rasmus Sandin, born in 2000, so well after 1967, does not hesitate to speak of a much brighter future.
It was difficult this season with all these injuries that plagued our defense. When we had important players who fell in battle, it was the others, those who remained, who tried to take over, and who did so with panache.
Rasmus Sandin
“So we were able to get through these hardships, and I think that gives us confidence. We aim for something big; we don’t just want to play in the playoffs, we want to go a long way in the playoffs and win the Stanley Cup. »
While waiting to reach this goal which has been unattainable here for too long, the Maple Leafs will try to obtain their 22e win of the season at home. Only the Boston Bruins have managed to get as many home wins this season in the NHL.
Strangely, the Canadian won his first two meetings with the Leafs this season, by scores of 4-3 and 3-2, both times at the Bell Centre.
A phenomenon that members of the Leafs have trouble grasping.
“I have no explanation for this… All I know is that we want things to change from Saturday evening! added Morgan Rielly.
Monahan alone
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Sean Monahan
The Canadian canceled his training which was scheduled for noon on Friday in Toronto. However, forward Sean Monahan was seen skating alone as he has been trying to get back into action since Dec. 5. Note also that the Canadian was unable to provide a medical update either in the case of Kirby Dach, who did not take part in Thursday’s game in Raleigh, or in the case of defender Justin Barron. , who fell hard against the boards in the same game after being tackled in the back by Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes.