The view from left field

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5-2-0 – 10 Points) vs.

CALGARY FLAMES (2-1-1 – 5 Points)

JANUARY 26, 2021 ▪ 9:00 PM EST

SCOTIABANK SADDLEDOME (CALGARY, AB) ▪
TV: SPORTSNET ONTARIO ▪ RADIO: TSN 1050

MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus CALGARY

ALL-TIME RECORD:	62-60-12-5 (139 Games)
ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD:	26-41-5-2 (74 Games)
2020-21:	1-0-0
LAST FIVE:	2-2-1
LAST 10:	6-3-1

MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus CALGARY

GAMES PLAYED:	Joe Thornton (66), Jake Muzzin (32), Jason Spezza (29)
GOALS:	Joe Thornton (11), John Tavares (8), Wayne Simmonds (6), Jason Spezza (6)
ASSISTS:	Joe Thornton (44), Jake Muzzin (15), John Tavares (11)
POINTS:	Joe Thornton (55), John Tavares (19), Jake Muzzin (18)
PENALTY MINUTES:	Jason Spezza (33), Joe Thornton (31), Wayne Simmonds (23)

MAPLE LEAFS – FLAMES TEAM STATS

	TORONTO	CALGARY
GOALS FOR (Rank):	22 (t-2nd)	13 (t-21st)
GOALS AGAINST (Rank):	19 (t-20th)	9 (5th)
POWER PLAY [%] (Rank):	9/22 [40.9%] (3rd)	7/20 [35.0%] (6th)
PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank):	21/26 [80.8%] (t-13th)	14/16 [87.5%] (7th)
SHOTS (Rank):	222 (2nd)	126 (28th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank):	308 (1st)	161 (27th)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank):	54.2% (5th)	53.6% (t-7th)
FACEOFF % (Rank):	57.3% (2nd)	46.3% (24th)

MAPLE LEAFS – FLAMES NOTES

First Matchup between Clubs:	Nov. 5, 1972 (Toronto 2, Atlanta 2)
All-Time Record:	62-60-12-5 (139 Games)
All-Time Record at Home:	36-19-7-3 (65 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road:	26-41-5-2 (74 Games)
Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road:	January 24, 2021 (Toronto 3, Calgary 2)

MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS

CATEGORY	LEADER
GOALS	4 (Marner, Tavares)
ASSISTS	6 (Marner)
POINTS	10 (Marner)
POWER PLAY POINTS	5 (Tavares)
SHORTHANDED POINTS	N/A
PIMs	17 (Simmonds)
SHOTS	29 (Matthews)
FACEOFF WIN%	100% (Marner, Mikheyev)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %	66.3% (Thornton)
BLOCKED SHOTS	13 (Holl)
TAKEAWAYS	6 (Nylander)
HITS	15 (Hyman)
TOI PER GAME	24:08 (Rielly)
PP TOI PER GAME	3:27 (Matthews)
SH TOI PER GAME	3:45 (Holl)

MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES

Frederik Andersen	– Ranks seventh among NHL goaltenders in saves made (123).- Has an 8-2-2 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 14 career games against Calgary.  – Earned his 139th win as a Maple Leaf on January 22 vs. Edmonton to move past Curtis Joseph for fourth on the Maple Leafs’ all-time goaltender win register.
TJ Brodie	– Averaging 18:00 in even-strength ice time, which ranks second among Toronto defencemen.- Averages 2:34 per game in shorthanded ice time, which ranks third among Maple Leafs defencemen.- Ranks third among Maple Leafs in blocked shots (8).
Jack Campbell	– Is 3-2-0 in five career appearances against the Flames with a 1.94 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.
Justin Holl	– Leads NHL defencemen who average at least 15 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time (16:44) with a shot attempt percentage of 61.6%.- Averaging 21:30 per game in ice time after averaging 18:31 per game in 2019-20.- Tied for sixth among right-handed NHL defencemen in shorthanded ice time per game (3:45).
Zach Hyman	–  Leads Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (3:00).- Has the highest on-ice goals for percentage (57.1%) among Toronto forwards.- One of nine forwards in the NHL to start average over 12:00 minutes per game (13:57) of shorthanded ice time and start fewer than 35% of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (33.9%), while having a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage above 50% (51.9%).
Alex Kerfoot	– Ranks sixth among Toronto forwards in points per 60 minutes of ice time (1.47).- Leads the Maple Leafs in penalties drawn (3).- Has won 66.7% (8 won, 4 lost) of his offensive zone faceoffs.
Mitch Marner	– Tied for the lead among NHLers in points (4-6-10).- Tied for the NHL lead in even-strength goals (4).- Leads NHL forwards in time on ice per game (24:03).
Auston Matthews	– Averaging 23:07 in time on ice per game, which ranks third among NHL forwards.- Ranks fourth among Maple Leafs in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (60.4%).- Ranks second in the NHL in shots on goal (29).- Has won the 12th-most faceoffs in the NHL (62).
Ilya Mikheyev	– Ranks third among Maple Leafs forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (2:14).- Has an average of 23.0 shot attempts per 60 minutes of shorthanded ice time, which ranks second among NHLers who have played at least 15 minutes of shorthanded ice time.
Jake Muzzin	– Ranks 23rd among NHL skaters in shorthanded ice time per game (3:42).- Ranks 13th among NHL defencemen in shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time (15.57).- Has the 17th highest 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (59.3%) among NHL defencemen.
William Nylander	– Has the third highest points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (1.93) among Toronto skaters.- Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 62.8%, which is the second-highest percentage among Maple Leafs forwards.- Has recorded six points against the Flames (two goals, four assists) in nine career games against Calgary.
Morgan Rielly	– Tied for 23rd among NHLers who have appeared in multiple games in average time on ice (24:08).- Had his eighth career game with three-plus assists on January 24 at Calgary. Per NHL PR, only two defensemen in history have recorded more with the franchise: Borje Salming (29) and Tomas Kaberle (12).
John Tavares	– Tied for 13th in the NHL in points (4-3-7).- Leads the NHL in power play goals (4).- Tied for fourth among NHLers in shots on goal (24).- Has the highest faceoff win percentage (64.1%) among NHLers who have taken at least 100 faceoffs (103).

CURRENT POINT STREAKS

Mitch Marner	Assists (3) and Points (1-3-4) in two consecutive games.
Jason Spezza	Assists (2) in two consecutive games.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Zach Bogosian	Four points from 200 NHL points

RECENT MILESTONES

Adam Brooks	First NHL goal (Jan. 22 vs. EDM)
Mitch Marner	300th NHL point (Jan. 24 at CGY)
Wayne Simmonds	First goal as a Maple Leaf (Jan. 24 at CGY) First point as a Maple Leaf (Jan. 24 at CGY) 500th NHL point (Jan. 24 at CGY)

INJURY REPORT

Nick Robertson (Knee)	On long term injured reserve.
Joe Thornton (Rib)	On long term injured reserve.
	Man Games Lost: 7

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Jan. 24	Added forward Travis Boyd to roster.
Jan. 23	Placed forward Joe Thornton on long term injured reserve.
Jan. 21	Placed forward Nick Robertson on long term injured reserve. Added forward Joey Anderson to the taxi squad.
Jan. 19	Loaned forward Travis Boyd to the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

SHELDON KEEFE

Opening Remarks: A good two points for us here today. I do think before I take any questions it’s important to acknowledge the passing of George Armstrong today. It was tough news for our organization and our fans and people that love the game. We actually took a moment today as a team – normally 90 minutes before a game we have a meeting. That’s where we cover a lot of our plans for the game and preparing for the opposition. 

Today we made it about George and shared a video of him and had a conversation about him and his impact on our organization. Leaf Nation is as strong as it is because of the efforts of people like George and, in particular, that era when they were winning the Stanley Cups. Generations of Leaf fans were bred through those efforts. We felt that it was important to acknowledge that. 

Condolences to the Armstrong family, his friends and people who loved him. For myself, I didn’t get a chance to see him play or anything like that, but, like I said, we feel the efforts of people like George and the efforts that they put forth in that era. We feel that every day here with the Leafs and are grateful for that. 

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: A couple of the guys said it was maybe a big of an ugly win. Jack Campbell also said it could be a character building win. What do you want the group to take from this game?

Sheldon Keefe: I think there’s no doubt that it was an ugly one. I think the reality is we looked at this game, it was our seventh game in 12 days, traveling out here and then having to play a two o’clock game. It’s a tough ask, and then you’re playing against a rested team. This one, we felt, would not be pretty. To get the two points is real big for us to have found a way to get those wins and found a way to bounce a few pucks our way into the net. It’s enough for us to get out of here with a win and now we’ll get a good night’s rest and have good practice tomorrow and regroup for the next time out.  

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: How would you describe the effort of Jack Campbell in net, especially near the end there? It appeared he might be dealing with something physically. What did he mean to you guys today?

Sheldon Keefe: He was huge. You don’t get through ugly games like this with a win without your goaltender being your best player. He was that today. He gave our guys great confidence, maybe too much confidence at times, but he was outstanding. It’s another great effort by him today.

Q. Jonas Siegel, The Athletic: I’m wondering what’s running through your mind when you see Jack struggle there at the end physically?

Sheldon Keefe: You’re hoping he’s alright. He got a little bit of attention there and obviously it happened late in the game so I think he’s feeling the effects of that a little bit, but he was able to shake it off and get through the remainder of the game. Luckily there was no other flurry around the net the rest of the way. 

Q. Jonas Siegel, The Athletic: How did you feel Auston looked in his first game back?

Sheldon Keefe: I thought he, like a lot of guys on our team, just weren’t themselves today. His situation probably even more difficult. I don’t know how many days its been since he’s really skated here. We just didn’t have legs today and it was real tough for all of our top guys to really get going tonight.

Q. Chris Johnston, Sportsnet: Was there anything about George Armstrong in particular you wanted the players to know or anything about his career or his life that you shared?

Sheldon Keefe: We went through that recapped his accomplishments and what he meant to the organization, his taking part in all those Stanley Cups and his abilities as a leader and as a captain. I think the message really, we talked about just how efforts like that back in the 1960s, in particular, the last time the Leafs won a Cup, that’s the reason why Leaf Nation is as strong as it is. That’s why generations of families grow up as Leaf fans, because of those efforts.

We have a role to play to continue to build upon that. That was part of it. Just celebrating his legacy. When you’re in this every single day, you’re in the moment, you’re taking care of what you can control every single day. I do think it’s important to stop and pause every now and again just to look at the bigger picture and recognize what we’re doing here every day is for a greater purpose beyond ourselves. We have a role to play within how we prepare and how we play, and people like George showed the way there.  

TJ BRODIE

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: What are you going to remember most about your first game back in Calgary?

TJ Brodie: I think it’s a hard one to forget with the situation and everything. Looking back when I do retire, it’s definitely something to tell the kids and grandkids about the masks and no fans and stuff. It was different, that’s for sure.

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: It’s obviously so different with no fans, there would have been a standing ovation for you, I’m sure. What was that moment like when they did the video tribute in the first period? Your teammates and your old teammates were showing their appreciation.

TJ Brodie: It was special. I owe a lot to the people in Calgary, the teammates, everyone in the organization, the fans. I didn’t really know what to do there. I’ve never been on a different team and with no fans I didn’t know whether to wave or what to do. It was a little awkward.

Q. Kristen Shilton, TSN: What was your take on how the team played tonight, thinking about how you felt overall about the game defensively? 

TJ Brodie: I think there’s things to clean up, for sure. That’s not the way we wanted it to go, it was a little ugly at points. At the end of the day, those games are going to happen and those are the ones that count at the end of the year. Those messy ones that you end up with the two points at the end. 

JACK CAMPBELL

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: You seemed to be in a bit of pain at the end, how are you holding up physically after a gutsy effort?

Jack Campbell: I feel great. The boys played really well and it’s just huge to come out of this barn with two points.

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: Was there any thought in your mind that you’d have to leave the game?

Jack Campbell: Never.

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: How would you describe the challenge of going up against someone like Matthew Tkachuk? Obviously, he’s there to agitate and also has so much skill, he fell on top of you at the end there. How would you describe the challenge?

Jack Campbell: I don’t really look at him as a menace out there, he’s just a really good hockey player. Anytime he’s out there I’m always aware. He’s really good in front of the net and setting up his teammates. I think we did a great job as a unit shutting him down. We’re going to need that every night to keep getting these two points.

Q. Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun: Was there any worry there with what was happening in the final minute, health-wise?

Jack Campbell: I was just really focused on trying to get out of this place with two points. I think the guys did a good job of helping me out and we accomplished that. It’s all I’m focused on right now.

AUSTON MATTHEWS

Opening Remarks: First off, I just want to extend my condolences to the Armstrong family. Obviously, George was an incredible ambassador for the City of Toronto and the Maple Leafs. He paved the way for the guys like us who are trying to accomplish something big here. I just want to extend my condolences to his family.

Q. Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun: What was your take overall? You guys had the day of travel yesterday, the early start could have played a factor. The Flames hadn’t played in six days but you guys seemed to come out from the opening faceoff and do some good things and carry that through. Did you see it that way?

Auston Matthews: I don’t know. I mean, I think it was a pretty ugly game for us to be honest, for us. There’s a lot of things we could have done better. I think we had good sequences in the game. Obviously, a couple of solid lucky bounces that went our way today and we’ll definitely take them but definitely some stuff that we can clean up. Obviously, we can’t make excuses for travel and time change and that stuff. Coming in here we’ve got a job to do. We’ve got to use this time now, a day and a half until we play next, to rest and recover and get used to this schedule here.

Q. Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun: Is that a difference in the team then, that you can “win ugly” and some things might not go your way but you’re still able to pull out a victory?

Auston Matthews: Yeah, [Campbell] was a rock star for us tonight. He made some big saves, especially toward the end there. He was a brick wall for us. He definitely saved us there for sure. It always, I guess, encouraging to win ugly games like this where you just stay with it shift-by-shift and just try to get what we can done.

Q. Jonas Siegel, The Athletic: I was just wondering at practice the other day, what is it that you were feeling that you decided not to practice?

Auston Matthews: I just had some issues here with my hand that I was going through. I’m not really going to go any further than that but obviously if I could have skated or played and felt comfortable then I would have done that but it’s fine now and we’re good to move forward here.

Q. Jonas Siegel, The Athletic: Is it something you’ll have to keep your eye on moving forward?

Auston Matthews: A little bit. I’ll obviously have to take care of it here in the next couple of weeks but it feels a lot better. It feels more than good enough to play and good enough to go out there and contribute and help the team.

 WAYNE SIMMONDS

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: Wayne, that was a milestone moment for you — first as a Leaf, 100th on the power play, 500th point in your career. What did it mean to you?

Wayne Simmonds: It’s pretty big. It felt a lot better that we got the two points. Obviously, it’s nice to get it out of the way, but it’s even nicer to get the two points. Not too happy with our performance, we’ve got a few things we’ve got to fix, but a good two points to start off the road trip.

Q. Mark Masters, TSN: What’s your perspective on the power play that seems to be clicking very well to start this season? All the weapons that are there and your role on it.

Wayne Simmonds: We’ve got two great units. I don’t think it matters which unit is on the ice at this moment. Both units are clicking really well. For me it’s pretty much status quo, get in front of the net, get loose pucks, present myself as an option for the other guys. It’s been great so far and we’ll look to continue to improve.