"We have to play a territorial game. We have to be a really intelligent team with the puck. Our forecheck is going to be key - getting these stalled in the offensive zone, and getting o-zone time. They get frustrated if they're in their own zone too much. If we can get into the zone, get it stalled, and get some o-zone time, it is going to benefit us and keep their speed down."
"I think Necas plays with a little more speed. He attacks a little more off the rush than Rantaen would. Rantanen is more of a territorial player in the offensive zone - big, strong, and strong on the puck. I mean, they're both good, but I think that is the difference. Necas is more of a rush player, for me."
"Well, he has to be, for sure. He is going to get a lot of that matchup, and he is going to have to be good on both sides of the puck, as is everybody else with him. It is not just him. We have to defend as five and play as five-man units tonight. It is not on one guy."
Colorado skates at an exceptionally high pace, forcing opponents into chasing games if they allow transition speed. Toronto must prioritize territorial hockey, smart puck management, and a sustained forecheck to stall Colorado in its own zone and limit o-zone time. Auston Matthews will draw heavy matchups and must contribute on both ends while the team defends cohesively as five-man units. Martin Necas uses more rush speed compared with Gabriel Rantanen's territorial, puck-protecting style. Jacob Quillan was added to inject young speed, energy, and provide lineup flexibility around Laughton.
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