Last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs managed to secure a victory against the Montreal Canadiens despite Mitch Marner’s absence. This win came on the heels of their disappointing performance during the NHL trade deadline.
Brad Treliving’s remarks following the deadline seemed insincere, lacking any substantial insight. He seemed to blame constraints imposed by higher-ups for his inability to make significant moves, despite having resources like Auston Matthews and ample funds at his disposal.
While Treliving emphasized the importance of making the playoffs, it felt patronizing given the Leafs’ strong position in the standings. His failure to bolster the team last summer has made winning the division title unlikely, leading to a tougher playoff path.
Excuses regarding assets, prospects, and salary caps fall flat when compared to the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ ability to creatively strengthen their roster with multiple star players.
As for the game itself, it mirrored the lackluster excitement of the trade deadline proceedings.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens
The Leafs are locked for the playoffs while the Canadiens’ chances are slim to none. Knowing they’re starting on the road against Florida or Boston, the recent game lacked any suspense.
A notable aspect was Timothy Liljegren’s performance. Despite assumptions he’d be sidelined after Joel Edmundson’s arrival, it’s clear the Leafs need Liljegren’s puck-moving skills and right-handed defense.
In the last game, Simon Benoit sat out, a logical move considering the team’s lack of mobility on defense even with two of Benoit, Lyubushkin, or Edmundson playing. Liljegren led in 5v5 ice-time, suggesting Keefe valued his play, despite poor stats likely influenced by pairing with Edmundson, whose deficiencies hinder his partners.
Starting Edmundson guarantees opponents more possession, impacting even a talented defenseman like Liljegren. Optimal pairings could involve McCabe and Liljegren logging significant minutes, while Rielly and Brodie receive lighter assignments. Experimenting with Rielly and Liljegren could be beneficial given their previous success in limited time.
Whenever Lyubushkin or Edmundson hit the ice, Montreal dominated, underscoring the issues with such conservative players. If they struggle against the Canadiens, it doesn’t bode well for matchups against stronger teams.
