"It's hard to really stay optimistic in this situation. Just trying to get a win tonight. It's not going to help being frustrated. I think the mood in the locker room has changed a little bit. It's made it a better environment."
"Montreal has always been a big rival game, so I think the intensity right away, and playing good hockey with the puck and making this team play in their own end, put the pressure on them. They've got some great skill over there, obviously."
The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling through a seven-game winless streak and face potential playoff elimination for the first time in a decade. Forward William Nylander acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining optimism while emphasizing the need for a win against Montreal. The locker room atmosphere has improved despite recent losses. Coach Craig Berube has reorganized lines, pairing Nylander with John Tavares and Matias Maccelli to generate offensive production. Goaltender Joseph Woll will start after allowing five goals in a recent loss to New York. The team called up forward Bo Groulx from the AHL, who leads the Marlies in scoring. Montreal represents a significant rival matchup as the Canadiens emerge as conference contenders.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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