Leafs better prepared for the Bruins

March 19, 2012 is a day that Randy Carlyle won’t forget.

“Terrible,” said the Maple Leafs coach describing how he felt following an 8-0 loss in Boston to the Bruins that night. “It was not a good feeling back there.”

That night the Bruins finished up going 6-0 against the Leafs for the season, outscoring Toronto 36-10.

Carlyle had been hired as Leafs coach a few weeks earlier, and his team was still in the playoff chase. That game pretty much ended all playoff hopes, while at the same time leading to the turnaround seen this season.

“That was part of us recognizing as a coaching staff and management that things had to change for our group,” said Carlyle on Monday, as the Leafs get ready to face the Bruins in this year’s playoffs. “We couldn’t afford to be embarrassed to that level and it was an eye opener for us.”

This is a different Leafs team. Among those who played in that game and aren’t on the roster now include Tim Connolly, Mathew Lombardi, Luke Schenn, Mike Komisarek, Colby Armstrong, David Steckel and Joey Crabb.

In are the likes of Nazem Kadri, Leo Komarov, Jay McClement, James van Riemsdyk, Mark Fraser, Cody Franson,  Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren.

This year’s Leafs have an attitude, won’t get pushed around and are not intimidated by the Bruins.

“The biggest change for us is we feel we can go into any building and have a chance for success,” said Carlyle. “I don’t know if you could say that before.”

The Leafs lost 3 of 4 to Boston this year (one loss in a shootout) but the games were much more competitive and Toronto was outscored only by a 9-7 margin.

“Last year is a total wash. We don’t even remember anything that has to do with last year,” said Kadri. “It’s a whole different season. I think Boston understands that too.”

“We’ve played them this year as hard as we have in the last four (years),” said GM Dave Nonis. “We were competitive in all the games.”

Toronto lost February 2 at home 1-0 as Chris Bourque scored the game’s only goal.

On March 7, Tyler Seguin scored a pair for the Bruins – including an empty net goal – 

in a 4-2 Bruins win.

Toronto snapped an eight-game losing streak March 23 with a 3-2 win over Boston on home ice.

Two nights later, the Bruins won on home-ice thanks to a 3-2 win in a shootout.

“We understand how we have to play in order to beat these guys,” said Kadri.  “We have a good fore-check and back-check system and it’s just a matter of doing it.”

“We are playing against an exceptional hockey team that’s very well coached and very deep,” said Nonis. “It’s a good challenge and measuring stick for our group.”

Thanks in part to an 8-0 whitewash to the Bruins last year, the Leafs feel they are better prepared for them in these playoffs.

Maple Leafs ready for new playoff memories

James van Riemsdyk knows the playoffs are a different animal.

“You can feel it, the desperation every shift,” said the Maple Leafs forward, who has scored 11 goals in 39 playoff games in his NHL career.

Now he will have a chance to add to those totals as the Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

“We’re far from done. We want a long run in the playoffs,” said Ryan O’Byrne.

Carl Gunnarsson knows fans in Toronto are starving for post season hockey.

“Hopefully it’s going to be crazy and I think it will. I’m looking forward to that,” said Gunnarsson, who is in his 4^th season with the Leafs.

The Maple Leafs clinched a playoff spot on Saturday, and with back to back games in Florida later in the week, the Leafs arrived in Tampa early Sunday morning.

They golfed and lounged around the pool for a couple of days of rest and relaxation, before getting back to the ice on Tuesday.

“It’s great timing,” said O’Byrne. He called the time in Florida “invaluable” as they approach the final three games on the regular season.

Usually when the Leafs golf in late April, it means they missed the playoffs. This time it was a reward for making the postseason.

The games against the Lightning on Wednesday and Panthers on Thursday are both extremely winnable. The game Saturday at home against Montreal could potentially be for home-ice advantage in the first round, possibly against Montreal.

“You can feel the buzz around the city,” said O’Byrne.

You can only imagine what it would be like if it is Montreal the Leafs face in the first round. That hasn’t happened since 1978-79.

The Leafs earned a spot in the playoffs thanks to solid goaltending, a much improved penalty kill, more depth at forwards and a belief in how they were playing.

“This year we all pulled in the same direction,” said Gunnarsson. “We thought we were going to be a playoff team.”

As they head into the final week of the season, the Maple Leafs lead the league in fights (44), hits (1,518), and blocked shots (233).

While James Reimer has a save percentage in the top 5 (.926) and a penalty killing unit that is operating at 87%, also top 5 in the NHL.

The last time Toronto hosted an NHL playoff game the Iphone was still a few years away. There was no twitter, facebook or instagram. That was May 4, 2004. Gas was on average 87 cents a litre.

The Leafs will look to create some new playoff memories starting in a week.

“I can’t wait to see the ACC (Air Canada Centre) for our first playoff game. It’s going to be nuts,” said O’Byrne.

Mikhail Grabovski isn’t complaining.

“See my smile,” said the Maple Leafs centre after a shootout loss to the New York Rangers. “I’m not frustrated at all.”

He isn’t bothered by playing on the 4^th line with noted tough guys Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren.

“It doesn’t matter who I play with,” said Grabovski, who played just 11:00 while firmly entrenched in coach Randy Carlyle’s doghouse. The game before (also against the Rangers) he played a season low 10:39, while being benched for much of the 3^rd period.

“I just want to play. On the ice I’m happy.”

Yet here was Grabovski, asked to take part in the shootout. His attempt fell short.

When he was asked if he was surprised to be shooting, he replied, “Not really. Are you surprised?”

Actually Mikhail, yes, yes I was.

Is this a relationship that is beyond repair?  Grabvoski said he doesn’t speak much to Carlyle but rather “the 2^nd coach” (Assistant Greg Cronin).

For his part, Carlyle said he was pleased with Grabovski’s game in New York and gave him more shifts in the 3^rd period, after being used sparingly in the 1^st two periods of the game.

“I thought he played fairly well,” surmised Carlyle. “I thought he was on the puck, showed more desire and more effort out there, and he was very noticeable out there.”

This has been a trying time for Grabovski, who last year signed a 5-year, $27.5 M deal. The fire, passion and tenacity we have seen in his game in past years under Ron Wilson has been missing.

He was a fixture last year on the Leafs second line, averaging 17:36 of ice-time a game last season. He was often matched up against the team’s top lines.

This year he is averaging 16:00 of ice-time a game and has become more of a 3^rd line player.

The Leafs need Grabovski to return to form soon, as the team looks to be a tough out in the playoffs, should they get in.

Carlyle has shown to be consistent in his demand for his players to be at their best at all times. John Michael-Liles was a healthy scratch for 12 games. Jake Gardiner has been used sparingly and Matt Frattin has lost his place in the lineup.

It doesn’t matter what experience you have or how much money you make (Grabovski is the highest paid forward on the Leafs) if you don’t perform you don’t play.

No one knows that better right now than Mikhail Grabovski.                                                                

Jay McClement helping the Leafs PK

He wasn't a big name free agent pick up, but Jay McClement will go down as one of the best moves Brian Burke made as GM.

McClement agreed to a 2-year, $3M deal with the Leafs this off season and his effort to solidify the club's 3rd and/or 4th line has been huge.

But McClement's biggest strength has been on the penalty kill, a unit that under Ron Wilson was among the NHL's worse.

But this season thanks in part to better goaltending and largely to McClement has suddenly become one of the league's best.

The Toronto penalty kill was perfect in all five chances on Saturday evening in New Jersey– allowing exactly one shot against. They killed off a 64 second 5-3 disadvantage, without allowing a shot. The Leafs penalty kill is now at 86.7 percent for the season (4th in the NHL) and 92 percent over the past 27 games (killing 81 of 88 opportunities over that stretch.)

McClement deserves a lot of credit for that as a guy who takes key faceoffs and against the Devils was on the ice 4:19 while his team was shorthanded.

“When we started it was a little rough just because none of us had played together,” McClement said. “That's probably the biggest part is everyone knowing what the other guy's going to do in reads and obviously our goaltending (Reimer) again tonight, made some huge saves.”

Last year in Colorado, McClement averaged the 3rd most short-handed ice-time in the NHL and won more than 50% of his face-offs. This year he leads the Maple Leafs in shorthanded ice-time per game (3:32).

He does what the coaches call the "little things" which turn out to be huge for a team that last year was 29th in penalty killing.

"I've done it a lot over my career so experience and learning the hard way," McClement said earlier this year. "Getting beat different ways, all kinds of different ways making mistakes; trying to learn from those. I've definitely done that over my career."

"The skill that he has is he outworks people," Carlyle said a few weeks ago. "People always talk about skill and it is a skill to be able to go out and show that dogged work ethic that he demonstrates day in, day out. That's what really separates him in a lot of situations."

McClement knows plenty of tricks to the trade. For example, “not always extending your stick the entire way, having a little bit more to give you so you can bait them a little bit and then he tries to pass it maybe slide it out a little the last couple of inches and try to get a piece of it.”

That knowledge and work ethic have been huge for the Maple Leafs. Remember the last six seasons, Toronto’s PK has not finished better than 27^th.

It's why the Leafs penalty kill is among the NHL's best and why Toronto looks to be on its way to making the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Gardiner recalled, Komisarek waived

Toronto Maple Leafs fans have for weeks been calling for Jake Gardiner to return to the NHL.

On Wednesday it happened as the Leafs recalled the 22 year-old defenseman, in the hopes he can help halt a 5 game losing streak.

Mike Komisarek couldn’t resist yelling “Jake Gardiner is free” after seeing the large media scrum Wednesday morning talking to the young blueliner.

A week after his agent sent out a #FreeJakeGardiner tweet, the Toronto Maple Leafs called up the defenseman who will play tonight against Tampa Bay.

“He did an excellent job,” Leafs Coach Randy Carlyle said when asked how Gardiner handled his time in the American Hockey League. “We just felt Jake had played very well in the last 10 days.”

Korbinian Holzer was sent down to the minors to make room for Gardiner, who had 30 points in 75 games with the Maple Leafs last season as a 21 year-old. He was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team.

But Gardiner suffered a concussion in the American Hockey League in December and that kept him off the ice for several weeks. When he played a couple of games with the Leafs in January, Carlyle and Leafs management didn’t like what they were seeing.

So Gardiner went down to the Marlies and over the last few weeks he started to show the dominant form he flashed his rookie season.

Gardiner tried to distance himself from his agent’s tweet, and he said playing for Marlies coach Dallas Eakins “awesome.”

But there was no doubt he wanted to be with the Leafs and on Tuesday morning, he called General Manager Dave Nonis to discuss his future with the team. He wasn’t aware the Leafs had been thinking of bringing him up.

“It was a great call,” said Gardiner, who would be recalled by the Leafs hours later. “I just kind of wanted to get a more clear picture of things where they stood.”

It was clear the Leafs view Gardiner as a key player for the Leafs now and going forward. That was news Gardiner wanted to hear.

“I feel like I’ve definitely gotten better the last few games,” said Gardiner, who had 31 points in 43 games in the American Hockey League this season. “I have a long way to go to where I want to be.”

“Is Jake Gardiner going to be our saviour? That’s a label that we have to guard against,” said Carlyle. “We want Jake Gardiner to come in and be Jake Gardiner.”

Look for Gardiner to play left defence and to be paired up initially with John-Michael Liles.

Look for Gardiner to be a key figure on the power-play and expect Gardiner to be able to move the puck quickly to the forwards. It has been a problem during this 5 game winless streak and Gardiner should help in that area.

“My mindset is to just play my game and help the Leafs get some wins,” said Gardiner. “I’m getting a second chance. I have to make sure I help this team.”

Gardiner can play only three more NHL games before he will be unable to clear waivers. You get the impression he will be here the rest of the season and the Leafs see Gardiner as a key player going forward.

Meantime, the Leafs placed defenceman Mike Komisarek on waivers. He had been a healthy scratch in 25 straight games.

Komisarek agreed to waive his no trade clause, and if he is not claimed, will report to the Marlies.

Komisarek has handled his benching with class. Now he will get a chance to show he can still play at a high level in the American Hockey League.

Wade Redden and Sheldon Souray have thrived after teams gave up on them and played in the AHL. Komisarek (who earns $4.5M this year and next) will look to follow in their footsteps.

The Leafs have plenty of young defenseman in the system. They have high hopes for Korbinian Holzer, Jesse Blacker, Stuart Percy and Morgan Rielly.

It is likely Komisarek has played his final game in Toronto. If he is not claimed or traded, expect the Leafs to buy out Komisarek in the summer.

Leafs goalies struggles a concern

It has been a struggle for the Toronto Maple Leafs as of late – 5 losses in a row. They have 19 games remaining and the Leafs are holding onto a playoff spot, just one point up on 8^th place Carolina.

Is it panic time in Toronto?

“The biggest thing is to keep that game-by-game mentality,” said Cody Franson. “You start looking ahead, start looking where you are in the standings and say ‘what if’ or if you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and get ahead of yourself, that’s when you start throwing away some points because you are looking too far ahead.”

One concerning trend has been goaltending where James Reimer and Ben Scrivens have been ok, but are not stealing games for them.

In a week that features back to back games against teams Tampa Bay and Buffalo – two teams out of the playoffs at this time – the Leafs need to establish some kind of consistency in goal. (By the way, Tampa has the second most goals in the eastern conference behind Pittsburgh.)

Reimer’s GAA is a full point higher in March than it was in February (3.22 this month) while his save percentage is .906, his worst month of this shortened season.

For Scrivens his March statistics have been worse (3.60 GAA and a save percentage of .880).

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, do the Leafs look to address goaltending? Will the price be too much? GM Dave Nonis has made it clear he will not sacrifice future assets for the present.

Also remember the salary cap is dropping next year, so while Toronto would like more experience goaltending that comes at a price.

What goalies are available? Yes Roberto Luongo is out there but unless Vancouver is willing to drop the price Nonis won’t go after him.

The Kings still have Jonathan Bernier but he – like Scrivens and Reimer – lacks NHL experience.

Calgary’s Miika Kiprusoff may be on the market, but his contract and the asking price likely will be too much for the Leafs to take on.  He is to make $5.833 M next year before he becomes a UFA.

Anaheim’s Jonas Hiller could be dealt with the emergence of Viktor Fasth. Hiller is to make $4.5 M next season before he becomes a UFA.

Ryan Miller’s time in Buffalo may be coming to an end. He has another year to go at a salary of $6.25 M before he becomes a UFA.

You can see the dilemma Nonis and the Maple Leafs face.

This should also concern Leafs fans: it seems Coach Randy Carlyle has lost confidence in Reimer. He didn’t start against his hometown team Winnipeg on Saturday. Scrivens wasn’t much better and if the coach doesn’t have the confidence in his goaltending, how can the players?

A few weeks ago, Randy Carlyle said of his goaltending, “Our goaltending has been NHL quality goaltending. We have some people that can play at a high level in the NHL.”

You can’t say that now. Of course defensively the Leafs haven’t been as structured as they were earlier this season on the blueline.

Only the Florida Panthers have allowed more goals per game than the Maple Leafs this month (3.71) and the Leafs know it must improve if they expect to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Decisions, decisions…..

Busy days, tough decisions ahead for Dave Nonis

Dave Nonis could have a busy few months ahead. And his decisions could impact the Leafs now and moving forward.

Nonis traded a 4th liner in  Mike Brown   to Edmonton and Matt Frattin is coming off a knee injury.

An issue that promises to be interesting to watch will be finding a spot for Joffrey Lupul, expected to return in the next week or two from an arm injury.

“He has not had any setbacks,” said Nonis when addressing Lupul’s recovery.

So who sits when Lupul returns? Does he play on the top line with Kessel, despite the solid play of James van Riemsdyk.

Funny to think that finding a spot for Lupul to play may be a difficult one, eh? Not many would have made that claim at the start of the season. Again it is not a big issue, but goes to show the Leafs depth this year.

On the defensive side of things, the Leafs signed blueliner Korbinian Holzer to a 2-year deal. So he looks to be part of the immediate future.

What about Jake Gardiner? Last year he had a marvelous rookie campaign, but has been hampered by a concussion and while he is healthy there is no room for him on the NHL club.

Meanwhile Mike Komisarek (cap hit of $4.5M) and John-Michael Liles (a cap hit of $3.875M) have been healthy scratches. The trade deadline is a month away could Komisarek (who has 1 more year at a cap hit of $4.5M) or Liles (3 more years of a cap hit at $3.875M) could be trade bait?

“Mike Komisarek has not asked for a trade,” said Nonis this week. Komisarek has a limited no trade clause.

While Carlyle said both Komisarek and Liles have been been “utmost professionals” Nonis will have to consider making a move of some kind, doesn’t he?

Then there is the Tyler Bozak contract situation. He is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

While Bozak has won 60% of his face-offs this year and has been the center on the top line with Phil Kessel, how much of a raise should he get?

He makes $1.4M this season so is he a $3M to $5M player a year? If he and his agent feel that way, would the Leafs agree? Mikhail Grabovski agreed to a 5-year $27.5M dollar deal a year ago. How does that impact Bozak’s deal?

While Clarke MacArthur, who makes $3.25M, is also an unrestricted free agent.

What kind of salary structure suits him?

Then there are youngsters like Joe Colborne and Carter Ashton who could be part of the Leafs future. Colborne has battled through wrist injuries which slowed his development.

Does Colborne make the jump to the NHL (much like Nazem Kadri has this season) should Bozak sign elsewhere? Colborne is a restricted free agent after this season. The Leafs will have to make a call on him soon.

There is also the Phil Kessel situation. He has just one year left on a deal that has him earning $5.4M. How much more will he seek as a free agent? Do the Leafs try and sign him to an extension now?

As you see there is plenty for Dave Nonis and his staff to deal with.

The Leafs have some cap room, having just 13 players under contract next season ($47.2M) and just 5 players signed ($21.1M) the 2014-2015 season.