"Toronto is a really good team off the forecheck and the rush. We need to limit their time and space in the neutral zone and apply as much pressure on them so they can't have good puck placement to use their forecheck or have any easy entries. We have to make sure we don't let them build speed through the neutral zone. Their forecheck will depend on it, and so will their rush. The way we play in the neutral zone will dictate a lot."
"He will be energized, for sure, and will want to get out there and do his thing. We'll see how the game goes and how he is looking in terms of whether there is a drop-off or not. A lot of the time, when you've been out a long time, you have practiced, but it is not a game. It's totally different. We'll see how his energy looks throughout the game."
Maple Leafs aim for a stronger start against the upstart Utah Mammoth, who sit 9-4-1 and arrive tired on the second night of a back-to-back. Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz return to Toronto's fourth line, while Easton Cowan is assigned to the Toronto Marlies and Laughton is activated from injured reserve. John Tavares receives a 500-goal pre-game ceremony at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sportsnet. Utah emphasizes limiting Leafs' time and space in the neutral zone and applying pressure to prevent easy entries and forechecks. Craig Berube notes the Mammoth's skill up front and expects Laughton to be energized but game conditioning remains a question.
#toronto-maple-leafs #scott-laughton-return #utah-mammoth #neutral-zone-strategy #john-tavares-500-goal
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]