Full marks to Maple Leafs for defensive gem with just five D-men

Article content

The Maple Leafs have three games left in the regular season, but they can feel the Stanley Cup playoffs are coming.

Article content

Article content

Article content

On Saturday night, the Leafs won at least the first round of the playoffs with a 1-0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.

If they achieve their goal of winning the Atlantic division–they lead four points over the Tampa Bay Chargers and the Florida Panthers–they will also have home runs in the second round.

“It’s huge,” forward Max Domi said of their own knowledge after the playoffs. “It’s huge as long as you can lock it.

“No matter who we are going to be in, this will be a fight in the first round. Hopefully our fans are ready to go because we will certainly.”

What we’ve got from Saturday night:

Defensive gemstones

If for some reason you still find yourself questioning Leafs’ determination, maybe going out for a fresh air.

Article content

Article content

With only five defenders due to injuries to Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Leaf has limited Montreal’s only 15 goals in one of the best defensive performances in 2024-25, a season low for any opponent. There are only 12 of them five to five.

“We started talking about that from the morning, talking about how we play and protect our defense without expanding the area time,” said coach Craig Berube. “We made a few transitions (Montreal puts pressure) because when we have five, it makes our d tired. They do a great job. There is definitely one who realizes to be higher than people and checks.”

Morgan Rielly led the Leaf defense with ice time at 25:43. Mitch Marner, who scored the only goal in the game, also made some changes on the blue line.

Article content

Overall, the leaves were adjusted. The performance of the striker is an important factor.

“We have a commitment to the 200-foot game (critical) game,” goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz said. “Five D, guys go there often, so I think they do a great job managing shifts. Thanks to our forwards, it makes our job a lot easier. We’re easy. We rarely cramp us in our area, so when we need five guys. We see Mitchy when we need it.”

It adds up until a night that wasn’t a tough one for Stolarz. In the first two stages, he only had to make seven savings. In overtime, he reached out and forced Canadian captain Nick Suzuki to try Deke, hitting the net. The shot was not registered in the game.

Article content

Berube confirmed after the game that Leafs, now allowing them to do so after playing a game, will recall Dakota Mermis, a Toronto Maris defenseman, on Sunday in Carolina.

The injured players — McCabe, Ekman Larson and center David Kampf — will not travel on two-game trips to Carolina and Buffalo, Beruber said.

Mana did his thing

Suitable, Marner won the overtime championship, with the only goal of the night defeating goalkeeper Jakub Dobes in 36 seconds of overtime, defeating goalkeeper Jakub Dobes with a low glove shot.

It not only brought Marner to 98 points, within two points of his first 100-point season in the National Hockey League, but also limited a night, with six shots on the goal and leading all the leaves with 26:29 ice time.

Article content

Those changes in defense, don’t forget those. He didn’t have much experience when he paired with Brandon Carlo, but Marner’s confidence in those shifts and Berube’s confidence in using him tells you a lot. This is what Mana did in the past.

“I like it there,” Mana said. “I won’t get lost or feel uncomfortable. I try not to make myself difficult and play quickly.

“We talked on the ice after practice (Friday), and (Beluber) said he would use me a little bit on the back end. I said I’m fine.”

“He’s good. He’s a smart player. He knows how to play this position and knows the game very well.”

Domi intervenes

There was no debate about Domi’s views on his teammates and his desire to achieve a score in supporting them.

Article content

The dynamic Domi fought Kaiden Guhle in the second phase after Canadian defensive player slammed John Tavares.

“It’s one of the parts of the game, it’s always been,” Domi said. “You don’t like seeing it when one of your players gets hit on the open ice and you’re on the bench.

“It’s part of the game, but especially Johnny, to be a good teammate, you have to step in that way.”

In addition to the Major, Domi received another two minutes of non-motion-like behavior.

“My little bit of mistake. You don’t want to pay for the extra two. That’s why I’m waiting for me (with Guller) to wait.” “I’m talking to the referees and they say you have to do hockey games and then you can fight. Honestly, I don’t know. Now I know.”

We won’t blame Domi for his intentions. In the past, the Leafs teams did not show much tendency to stick to each other, it was just memories.

The willingness to participate is a sign of the leaves behind the bench after Berube’s first season and it must provide encouragement to everyone in the organization.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @ @koshtorontosun

Article content