John Tavares, seen at practice last week, told reporters that he feels “good,” two days after coming out of Saturday’s game following an elbow to the head from Ottawa’s Artem Zub.Ìý
John Tavares, seen at practice last week, told reporters that he feels “good,” two days after coming out of Saturday’s game following an elbow to the head from Ottawa’s Artem Zub.Ìý
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was dismayed but understandingÌýwhen a concussion spotter hadÌýJohn TavaresÌýtemporarily removed from Saturday’s Game 4 against Ottawa after the veteran centre was elbowed in the head by Senators defenceman Artem Zub.
Berube told reporters Monday that the concussion protocol is an important part of the game that helps keep players safe, even if it comes at the expense of a team’s productivity. Tavares missed about 10 minutes of the overtime period.ÌýÌý
“It’s important to do that, nothing you can do about it,” Berube said, a day before Game 5 of the first-round series. “We gotta make sure the player’s OK and that’s their job. That’s just the way it is.”
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As for the play itself, Berube was far more strident, noting that he didn’t like the hit that left the veteran sprawled across the ice.Ìý
“Puck’s nowhere near him, looked like a headshot to me,” Berube said.Ìý
Tavares said he was ready to move on.
“I don’t think I really need to explain it,” Tavares said. “I think it’s pretty obvious what happened on the play. The puck’s nowhere near me. So let’s just move on from it, go up there and keep competing and trust that the refs are going to make the right calls.”
No penalty was called on the play but Berube said the Leafs wouldn’t get hung up on the refereeing.Ìý
“Mistakes happen with players, mistakes happen with coaches, mistakes happen with referees,” Berube said. “We can’t focus on a missed call or a bad call, we gotta focus on what we need to do.”Ìý
Tavares was knocked out of the playoffs in 2021 against Montreal when Corey Perry inadvertently kneed him in the head after he was knocked down by Ben Chiarot. Tavares missed the rest of the series, which the Leafs lost in seven games.Ìý
Back in action
When asked how he felt, Tavares said he has “a little bit of soreness” in his jaw and cheek but was otherwise fine.
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“I feel good,” Tavares said. “I felt good on the ice today.”Ìý
Tavares’s teammates stressed his importance to their offence. Tavares had 38 goals and 36 assists this season.Ìý
“When Johnny’s at his best, he’s a hard man to stop,” MitchÌýMarner said. “He’s a big man that can get around to the net and beat you one on one in a lot of ways. When he’s rolling, it’s great for our team.”
Matthews, Woll skip practice
Leafs captain Auston Matthews sat out practice for rest, the team said.Ìý
“He’s in great spirits and he’s feeling good,” Marner said. “Some days, you just need an extra little bit of rest.”Ìý
David Kämpf, who has not played in the series, took Matthews’ place alongside Marner and Matthew Knies.
Joseph Woll also didn’t practise. Berube said the backup goalie was feeling under the weather.Ìý
Woll appeared in 42 regular-season games but has yet to play in the post-season.Ìý
Hayden Godfrey is a Toronto-based general assignment reporter
for the Star. Reach him via email: hgodfrey@thestar.ca
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