海角社区官网Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (88) celebrates his goal with John Tavares (91), Max Pacioretty (67) and Christopher Tanev (8) against the Winnipeg Jets during first period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg on Monday, October 28, 2024.
海角社区官网Maple Leafs’ William Nylander (88) celebrates his goal with John Tavares (91), Max Pacioretty (67) and Christopher Tanev (8) against the Winnipeg Jets during first period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg on Monday, October 28, 2024.
翱罢罢础奥础鈥Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube put his team’s mindset in the simplest terms as it prepares for Thursday night’s Game 6 against the not-dead-yet Ottawa Senators.
The Maple Leafs blew two series-clinching games against the Senators this week and now, all bets are off. Game 6 is Toronto’s Game 7.
鈥淟et’s go. Ready to go. Business. Let’s go,鈥 said Berube.
The Leafs find themselves in the driver’s seat up three games to two, while also battling the demons of the past, a record of 1-13 since 2018 in games in which they could put away an opponent. They say they’re not letting that get to them.
鈥淵ou just try to block all that stuff out,鈥 captain Auston Matthews said. 鈥淭he main focus is on the guys in the room, on the team and playing for one another. That’s really all there is to it. All the outside noise, all that stuff, it is what it is. It’s not something that you focus on at all.
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鈥淵ou want to have a very high sense of urgency tonight. You know, you want to go out there and compete, have fun. Do it for the guy that’s sitting next to you in the room. Go out there and enjoy the moment.
The coach shrugs aside questions about playoff past. And the players? They have to answer to each other, he says.
The Senators held an optional skate. The Leafs held a full morning skate. Outside of a couple of line shuffles, neither team is making any roster changes.
But a key line change for the Leafs: veteran winger Max Pacioretty on a line with centre John Tavares and William Nylander.
鈥淗e had some real good stretches with those guys before he got hurt,鈥 Berube said of six-foot-two, 217-pound Pacioretty. 鈥淎 big guy, strong, physical, good around the net. So that was the decision.鈥
鈥淚 feel like with Tavares and Nylander, the puck will be in the offensive zone more, and that’s where (Pacioretty) can do his thing,鈥 said Berube.
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Pacioretty said he knows what his job will be.
鈥淕ive them the puck. Go to the net. Try to create some time and space for them. They’ve been playing great hockey, and my job is getting them the puck,鈥 said Pacioretty.
Anthony Stolarz will once again face Linus Ullmark in the goaltending battle.
History books
While the Senators are hoping to become the fifth NHL team to win a series after losing the first three games, the Leafs own an all-time series record of 6-0 when winning the first three contests in a best-of-seven post-season round.
Making good
If nothing else, Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk made good on his promise after a win in Game 4 that the Senators would be back on Canadian Tire Centre ice for Game 6.
鈥淥ur fans deserved another game for all the energy that they’ve had聽鈥 not just playoffs, but for last eight years, sticking with us through the lows and the tough times.鈥
It’s been series of highs and lows for both teams.
鈥淚t’s been a roller-coaster,鈥 Tkachuk said. 鈥淓ach game brings its lessons, challenges, and opportunities to grow and learn. Every game is a new game. And honestly, it doesn’t matter what’s happened the previous five games, just all about being ready to go to battle tonight and put in a good effort and see what happens.鈥
Kevin McGran is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow
him on Bluesky聽@kevinmcgran
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