The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in their fourth preseason game. As a team, there’s lots to like from this performance. A two-goal showing from Nicholas Robertson was enough for the Leafs to get their second straight preseason win. As the Maple Leafs get deeper into the preseason, Craig Berube‘s style of play has become clearer. Toronto’s bench boss was hired in May and overlooked the team for about four months. He’s explained several times to the media how he wants his team to play. Berube wants the Leafs to play fast, physical and simple.
Berube Hockey Being Implemented in Toronto
Berube’s style of hockey is becoming crystallized as the Leafs get further into their preseason. Toronto has evidently been more physical compared to previous years. It’s not oftentimes you see fighting in the preseason, but the Leafs have not been shy in dropping the mitts. In their four preseason games, there have been five fights, including two in Saturday’s contest against the Habs.
However, it’s not only about feeding punches to the opponent to be a physical hockey club. In seasons past, under Sheldon Keefe, it would be common for players to skate by a player along the boards on a forecheck. However, these days, it’s rare for a member of the Leafs to not finish a check on the forecheck. After all, Berube demands that physicality from his team.
In addition to physicality, the Leafs have been successful on special teams throughout this preseason. So far, they have yet to give up a power-play goal despite being shorthanded 19 times. Even though the penalty kill has been great lately, the discipline on the team needs to be addressed when it comes to the regular season. On Saturday, the Leafs were shorthanded seven times. However, they were aggressive, didn’t give their opponent any time on the puck and interrupted many passes with active sticks. It’s worth noting that the Canadiens played a much stronger lineup than the Maple Leafs, too.
Highlights of the Night
Other than Nick Robertson owning the spotlight and scoring Toronto’s last three preseason goals, some others deserve recognition. Goaltender Dennis Hildeby was excellent for the Leafs against an NHL-level Montreal team. He stopped 26 of 27 shots on goal and posted a .963 save percentage on the night. It’s unlikely that he’ll make the NHL roster, given the tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz. However, he definitely made an impression on the new coach and proved that he can hold his ground against NHL regulars. The 6-foot-7 netminder was steady all night and made it look effortless against Nick Suzuki and friends. He was less than two minutes away from recording a shutout. Unfortunately for him, he lost his stick when the Habs had their goalie pulled, and as a result, they capitalized.
b vÅŒ¸Another bright spot in this contest for the Leafs is someone who doesn’t get enough recognition. Toronto defenceman Conor Timmins has been great when in the lineup for the Leafs preseason. He’s not a very physical player, but in both the games he’s featured in, he showcased his underrated puck skills. He picked up an assist on the power play, quarterbacking the top unit. In many instances, he is the reason the Leafs can get a clean breakout. This is because he has the ability to make a stretch pass or carry it out of his zone himself. Timmins has been a name thrown out in the air in terms of a tradable asset. It’s clear there isn’t space for him on the Toronto Maple Leafs, regardless, he deserves a chance on a third pairing in the big leagues.
Main Photo: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
