There’s nothing extra vital within the pre-season than for veteran gamers to get their timing and rhythm into correct order.
For the Maple Leafs’ William Nylander, there’s a special and essential aspect within the course of this fall.
Within the Leafs’ first exhibition recreation on Sunday afternoon, Nylander’s first steps towards his adjustment to taking part in centre have been constructive.
Throughout a 3-2 loss in Ottawa in opposition to the Senators on the Canadian Tire Centre, Nylander led the Leafs with 5 pictures on aim, had eight makes an attempt, was sometimes across the puck all through the sport and had some preliminary chemistry with new Leafs ahead Max Domi. After getting behind within the faceoff circle, Nylander completed at 50%, profitable 11 of twenty-two attracts.
Within the closing 20 seconds, Nylander almost tied the sport after taking a go from Domi however was stymied by Sens goalie Anton Forsberg.
Actually, there shouldn’t be any doubt as as to if Nylander can take up taking part in centre on a full-time foundation. He has spent sufficient time on the place beforehand in his hockey profession, and his pace and smarts up the center could be an asset for the Leafs.
There’s confidence from the teaching workers — and from normal supervisor Brad Treliving, who pushed the thought of Nylander taking part in centre over the aim line — that the 27-year-old can flourish at centre.
Nylander’s play on Sunday was a superb begin.
GAME ON
Maybe it was as a result of they travelled earlier within the day or they wanted a while to get accustomed to one another, however the Leafs weren’t overly aggressive within the first interval. Pictures on aim within the opening 20 minutes have been 24-7 for Ottawa, which had a 2-0 lead on the intermission on objectives by Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. Within the second and third durations mixed, the Leafs outshot the Senators 30-8 … Keith Petruzzelli began in internet for the Leafs and was sharp earlier than giving approach to Dennis Hildeby to start out the third. Hildeby’s greatest cease got here on Stutzle, who couldn’t jam the puck in from the facet of the online for what would have been his third aim of the sport … After Stutzle scored late within the first interval on a display screen, there was Matthew Knies hustling on the following shift, making a turnover within the offensive zone that led to a scoring likelihood. That kind of power helped Knies earn coach Sheldon Keefe’s belief within the playoffs final spring … Becoming that Domi took the Leafs’ first penalty of the pre-season when he was known as for roughing Artem Zub at 13 seconds of the primary interval. In 777 video games with the Leafs, Tie Domi amassed a franchise-record 2,256 penalty minutes. After which there’s the shut relationship the youthful Domi has with Mats Sundin, whose No. 13 arms from the rafters at Scotiabank Area … There was a short scare for the Leafs when defenceman Timothy Liljegren was tripped into the tip boards by Parker Kelly within the first minute of the second interval. Liljegren got here up wincing, however remained on the ice. Kelly was penalized for tripping. Later within the interval, Liljegren properly broke up a 2-on-1 … William Lagesson is certain to get a glance if the Leafs have accidents on the blue line, and we bought an thought of his shot when he wired the puck previous Forsberg at 9:32 of the second interval. Ahead Alex Steeves, who has put up 42 objectives prior to now two seasons with the Toronto Marlies, scored on an analogous laser to tie the sport on a Toronto energy play late within the second. Lower than a minute after the Steeves aim, Stutzle scored his second of the sport as Kyle Clifford served a minor for goaltender interference. That wound up being the profitable aim … Morgan Rielly yearly leads the Leafs in ice time and Sunday was no completely different. The veteran defenceman logged 25 minutes 43 seconds, most amongst Toronto skaters. Nylander led Leafs forwards with 23 minutes six seconds, together with simply over a minute on the penalty kill … Secure to say that Roni Hirvonen has totally recovered from a concussion that he suffered through the Leafs’ prospect camp in July. Hirvonen’s power was evident from begin to end, and he contributed an help and 4 pictures on aim. Steeves had related bounce … Conor Timmins’ offence has been famous and the defenceman assisted on each Leafs objectives. Nonetheless, there are defensive strides for Timmins to make. If the Leafs defence corps will get via the pre-season in good well being, Timmins at greatest could be the seventh defenceman … Among the many Leafs we’re certain to see on Monday evening within the rematch between Toronto and Ottawa at Scotiabank Area are Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, captain John Tavares, Tyler Bertuzzi, Ryan Reaves, John Klingberg, TJ Brodie and Jake McCabe. All of them have been spared the one-day journey to the nation’s capital on Sunday.
