The Maple Leafs held an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
—
After scoring his 500th career goal during a road game last week, Leafs centre John Tavares will be honoured in a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday in Toronto.
“We’re all pretty jacked up about it,” said coach Craig Berube. “I’m extremely happy to be part of it.”
Berube and Leafs players sported shirts and hats reading, ‘Tavares 500,’ on Wednesday morning.
Tavares is only the 49th player in NHL history to reach the milestone and only the second to do it while playing for the Leafs, joining Mats Sundin. The pride of Oakville, Ont. will have his family on hand for the ceremony, which will include a tribute video.
“It’s great to come to the rink every day and see what he does and trying to pick up things from him,” said winger Matias Maccelli. “I mean, he’s a future Hall of Famer.”
Tavares is off to a strong start this season with 16 points in 13 games. He leads the Leafs with four goals in 5-on-5 play.
“I think he’s found another gear this year [with] his skating,” said centre Scott Laughton. “He looks so explosive through the neutral zone, and he can make those plays that a lot of guys can’t make at the blueline. He finds space.”
Laughton, who was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia at the deadline last season, trained alongside Tavares throughout the summer.
“You see how successful he is with how much work he puts into himself,” Laughton said. “He finishes every puck in practice. He does the little things like that, and that’s the first thing I told him when I got here is I’m excited to learn from him. I’ve definitely learned from him a ton.”
‘We’re all pretty jacked up’: Leafs excited to honor Tavares at 500-goal ceremony A week ago in Columbus, John Tavares recorded his 500th career goal. Now back in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are set to honour their assistant captain’s accomplishment, and Tavares’ teammates couldn’t be happier with the opportunity to show Tavares respect.
—
Tavares is known for his focused, detailed approach, but Laughton pointed to another trait that doesn’t get a lot of attention.
“I didn’t know Johnny much before coming here,” he said. “One of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. Seriously, one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met and one of the greatest pros I’ve seen.”
Laughton’s comment about Tavares’ sense of humour elicited follow-up questions from reporters.
“I don’t know how to describe it, but he makes me laugh a lot,” Laughton said. “It’s a little bit dry.”
Tavares usually comes off as very serious during media sessions.
“Away from the cameras, he’s just like any of us,” winger Nick Robertson said with a grin. “He’s joking around. He’s talking. He’s not as reserved as you guys may see.”
‘He makes me laugh’: Laughton reveals Tavares is really funny! Tonight, the Maple Leafs will honour John Tavares for his 500th goal. While his Toronto teammates are excited for the event, fellow forward Scott Laughton revealed that away from the mics, the Leafs’ assistant captain is actually a really funny guy, and not as serious as his public persona shows.
—
Laughton will be playing for the first time since blocking a shot off his foot in a pre-season game on Oct. 2.
“I’m going to have that nervous energy,” the 31-year-old forward said. “I think it’s a good thing to have … I’m super excited. You train all summer, you come back, and something like that happens.”
The road back has been a grind.
“Hopefully I don’t have to see the gym for a while,” Laughton said with a smile.
After producing just six points in 33 games with the Leafs last season, Laughton is determined to make a bigger impact this season. He got off to a strong start at training camp before suffering the injury in the penultimate pre-season game.
“He’s always bringing that energy,” said centre Nicolas Roy. “Even in pre-season, making a lot of good plays, good on faceoffs, can play a more defensive game as well, can play in different roles. So, yeah, good to have him back.”
Laughton will start Wednesday’s game on the fourth line with Max Domi and Steven Lorentz and is also expected to contribute to the penalty kill.
“I think the energy will be there,” Laughton said. “It takes you a little bit to get back into game shape when you’re out that long. You can’t replicate a game. I’ve been skating, but you can’t replicate those battles that you have throughout a game. Just the little parts of it. So, yeah, there’s going to be a little bit of rust for sure.”
Laughton looks to bring ‘energy’ tonight in season debut Scott Laughton suffered a lower-body injury in the pre-season and missed Toronto’s first 13 games of the season. Tonight, Laughton makes his season debut and jokes that he is looking forward to contributing on the ice, not hitting the gym and watching the games from the pressbox.
—
The Leafs have won four of five games, but remain unsatisfied with their inconsistent level of play. During the second period on Monday, Toronto was outshot 17-3 while falling behind the Penguins 3-0.
The Leafs rallied to win with four unanswered goals in the third period.
“The first two periods were unacceptable on our end,” Robertson said. “Credit to us, we came back and battled through that, but we don’t want to be in that position again.”
The Leafs have allowed the first goal in six straight games.
“What we saw in the third period, that’s what we’re looking for here right away to start the game,” Berube said. “You know, that team played last night. They’re on a back-to-back, so play with pace, energy and get after them.”
The Mammoth beat the Buffalo Sabres in overtime on Tuesday night to improve to 9-4-0 on the season.
‘You’ve got to have a pushback’: Leafs look to respond after disappointing win On Monday, the Maple Leafs fell into a 3-0 hole to the Penguins before reeling off four goals in the third period to pull off the win. Not happy with the victory, Toronto is hoping to bounce back and start on the right foot, knowing that comebacks like the one against Pittsburgh aren’t common.
—
Robertson has delivered three goals and three assists in five games since being a healthy scratch on Oct. 24. What is the winger liking about his game lately?
“My effort,” Robertson said. “How hard I work and moving my feet and trying to do the little things right. That’s just how I like it. I just want to keep moving my feet, keep complementing my teammates.”
Robertson’s strong play has earned him an extended look on the top two lines. He’ll start Wednesday’s game beside Tavares and Bobby McMann on the second line.
Robertson averaged 11 minutes of ice time in his first seven games. He’s up to 15 minutes and 10 seconds in the last five games.
“I’ve given him more opportunity, but he’s deserved it,” Berube said. “And I think that’s part of it. And that’s confidence, right? He feels good about his game. He feels [he’s] getting a lot of good puck touches, you know, getting shots, scoring. He’s confident. That’s a big part of the game.”
‘He’s deserved it’: Robertson earning look in Leafs top six Over his last five games, Nick Robertson has scored three goals, while adding three assists. Getting more responsibility on special teams, Robertson has also seen some time in the top six forward group. Happy with his progression, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube admits to giving the diminutive winger some more opportunities, but says he has earned what he has got.
—
After missing Tuesday’s practice for maintenance, Anthony Stolarz returned to the ice on Wednesday morning and is set to make his 11th start of the season.
Meanwhile, Joseph Woll continues to take part in practices and may be ready to play again soon.
“It’s getting close,” Berube said. “I don’t want to give you a timeline and then it’s changed, but I can just say this: He’s in a real good spot.”
Woll missed most of training camp and the start of the regular season for a personal leave of absence. He returned to practice with the Leafs on Oct. 27.
General manager Brad Treliving previously said Woll will likely go on a conditioning stint in the American Hockey League before playing again with the Leafs.
Leafs Ice Chips: Matthews sets the tone After the Maple Leafs overcame a 3-0 deficit by scoring four goals in the third period Monday against the Penguins, Toronto was addressed by captain Auston Matthews after the game. TSN’s Mark Masters has more on how the rare move affected the team, and what lineup changes can be expected against the Mammoth tonight.
—
Projected Leafs lineup for Wednesday’s game:
Knies – Matthews – Nylander
Robertson – Tavares – McMann
Joshua – Roy – Maccelli
Domi – Laughton – Lorentz
Mermis – Rielly
Benoit – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Myers
Stolarz starts
Primeau
Related Stories