After a lacklustre Game 4 that saw the Maple Leafs get shut out on the road by the Florida Panthers, Tuesday’s optional practice at the Ford Performance Centre was understandably all business.
In fact, it was optional in name only. Blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson was the only Leaf from Sunday’s lineup who didn’t take part, and that was because of illness.Ìý
The most intriguing sight was goalie Anthony Stolarz, who hasn’t played sinceÌýan elbow to the head by Florida’s Sam BennettÌýin Game 1.ÌýStolarz took shots from goaltender coach Curtis Sanford prior to practice.
Head coach Craig Berube said the netminder is “progressing” without a firm target date for his potential return.Ìý
“He was on the ice a little bit, so he’s doing much better,” Berube said.Ìý
Joseph Woll, who made 35 saves in Game 4, said he has leaned on the 31-year-old former Panther as a resource and called his return to the ice “a good little morale boost” for the team.Ìý
“Me and him are different personalities. So I think over the course of the season, I’ve been able to lean on him and learn,” Woll said. “I think it’s important to balance yourself out, and I think he’s been helpful in that way.”
Added forward Mitch Marner: “We’re comfortable with any goalie in that net. But seeing him back on the ice, seeing him in good spirits, it’s always something you love to see as a teammate.”ÌýÌý
Marner and Matthews
As for the lack of recent production from Marner and Auston Matthews, Berube noted their value in other aspects of the game and said “it’s fine, but it’s not exactly what I want to see.
“It’s not all about scoring for me and for them. It’s about the game, about playing 200 feet, doing all the little things that need to be done.”Ìý
Said Marner: “We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy series. They’re a very good defensive team; they make you work for everything.”Ìý
Matthews did not speak to the media after practice.Ìý Ìý Ìý
The Leafs-Panthers series is tiedÌýdespite Matthews going goal-less in the second round. So there’s still time, but
The Leafs-Panthers series is tiedÌýdespite Matthews going goal-less in the second round. So there’s still time, but
In line for Game 5
If line rushes during practice were any indication, the Leafs won’t be adjusting their lineup for Wednesday night’s Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena.Ìý
The trio of Max Domi, Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg remained intact, while David Kämpf and Nick Robertson — who were seen as potential replacements on that unit — skated with Ryan Reaves, who hasn’t dressed since March 2.Ìý
Still, Berube hinted that changes could be made: “Sometimes a change is good.”ÌýÌý
Tkachuk’s taunt
At the end of Game 4, Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk leaned out of the Panthers bench and appeared to tell Leaf William Nylander “I’m going to get you” after Max Domi hit Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov from behind along the boards. Domi was later fined by the NHL, but not suspended.
“He probably didn’t even hear him,” Berube said of Nylander. “He doesn’t hear me.”Ìý
Heading into Tuesday night, onlyÌýConnor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars had registered more playoff points than Nylander’s 15.
- Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
Woll and ‘Wonderwall’
Some Leafs fans have taken Ìýby Oasis as an ode to the goaltender.ÌýÌý
”(Teammate Matthew Knies) was showing me that the other day,” Woll said with a smile. “It’s nice. It’s a nice little ring to it.”Ìý
Asked if he’s a fan of the ‘90s Britpop group, Woll simply said: “I like ‘Wonderwall.’”
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