NASHVILLE — No one was happier to see Jake Muzzin walk through the door of the Maple Leafs dressing room here — with his equipment — than Sheldon Keefe.
Putting the brakes on Toronto’s recent skid has proven harder without the defenceman the coach calls “in many ways the conscience of our team.”
“It means a great deal, both in terms of his play on the ice and his voice,” said Keefe of Muzzin’s month-long absence with a broken foot. “He speaks a lot, has great presence, great experience of course. He’s an important part of our backend and makes everyone else better.”
Muzzin was asked — and accepted — a conditioning game with the Marlies in Cleveland on Friday en route here, something maybe other veterans might balk at.
“Credit to him for having no ego, not being concerned about anything other than getting himself as prepared as possible. Talking with him, it sounded like a very positive experience and he looked great today.”
Well, the biggest thing about [Sandin’s] game is his poise. And I think that’s — when you have that it’ll get fazed by where you’re at. He has that in spades, and he showed it again today.
On tonight’s effort:
I liked it. I thought our first period was really good, liked a lot about that. Of course, I liked that we were able to score goals again here today. I didn’t like our second period at all. To me, this has happened to us before where the third period is where the puck ends up in our net, but I actually liked a lot about our third period. The second period, to me, with the puck offensively was one of the worst periods that we’ve had since I’ve been here. I thought we cleaned that up a lot in the third period with how we handled the puck and how we maintained the puck. We just had some breakdowns again where guys got in behind us. We don’t like to see that, but we’d much rather see it in a game like this where we can continue to nail down on it and teach on it rather than whether it’s 0-0 or whatever the case may be where it’s going to really hurt us. Today I think it helps our cause because it’s something defensively to nail down.
On why he has stuck with the Hyman-Matthews-Marner line:
Just feel like there’s some good chemistry going on there. We want to get more time for [Tavares] and [Nylander] to play together. We’re trying to find the right fit there. Obviously, we tried Engvall with them today. We wanted to get Kerfoot back in the middle and thought there were some pieces of Pierre’s game that could help John and Willy. I really like what we see from that trio with Matthews.
On Jason Spezza reaching the 1,100-game milestone:
To me, the way he approaches the game, he’s a guy who’s 10 years younger every day. He’s got a great passion for the game, it keeps him hungry, it keeps him working every single day. He wants more all the time, he wants more information, he wants more touches in practice, he wants more time with the skills coaches. He’s hungry all the time to stay sharp and continue to work and get better. That really sets the tone for our team.
On what power play minutes can do for Sandin’s confidence:
I would think it would help him. I’ve seen the impact he can make on the power play with that poise and also with his ability to get the puck to the net. He really transformed the power play with us with the Marlies last year when he got healthy early in the season. He started the season on the IR. And then once he got healthy, our power play went from one of the worst in the League to one of the best. I felt pretty strongly that he would be able to give us something there on that second unit today.
ZACH HYMAN (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On what was working well tonight:
Well, we were scoring. Still a little frustrating obviously, you don’t want to give up and let them come back in the game at the end there, but huge win for us. Good to get back in the win column.
On the team bouncing back after Sunday’s game in Florida:
I think there were times in the game where we played the right way and dominated play. We got our chances and put them in so that was positive and then seeing Rasmus step up was awesome. He’s a great player so it showed pretty early. He kind of got some confidence there and it was good to see him step up.
MITCH MARNER (2 ASSISTS)
On what the team did well tonight:
I thought we controlled the puck well. I thought we got away from it a little bit in the second, kind of flipping it and trying to chase it more. I thought we did a good job when we had it in the third and in the first. We were calming plays down, we were bringing it back, setting things up and coming as a unit and I think when we do that, we’re a scary team and we’re hard to stop.
On Sandin’s game:
Well, I think his game matches ours very well. You saw tonight, his poise with the puck, his defensive play is top notch and he showed it here tonight. You saw it at World Juniors as well. He’s been impressive to watch. He’s a great player and, you saw it tonight, he made plays, he made stuff happen all over the ice. He’s got a very good head on his shoulders; he plays very well.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (3 GOALS)
On plays with his linemates that led to his hat trick:
I thought we started off really well. I thought the first period we had the puck a lot, created some chances that didn’t go in. All the lines were contributing tonight. So, I think for us, it was just a matter of time. Like you said, they made some unbelievable plays to feed me the puck tonight and I just tried to put it in.
On tonight’s effort coming after the loss in Florida:
I think we wanted to have a good bounce back game. A little bit of a lull in the second period. Some stuff that I think we’d like to clean up and do better but, all in all, nice to get back in the win column and push forward these last two games.
RASMUS SANDIN (2 ASSISTS)
On returning to the Maple Leafs:
It was a fun game and good to get the win. First one after the call up so it felt good.
On if he’s more comfortable after the season he has had and prior NHL experience:
A little bit. I feel confident out there and I feel like I know all the guys a little bit more, all the staff. So the group is really good and help me in every way the can, so it’s been good I’d say.
On getting a pair of assists in the first period of his first game back:
It’s great. I think my shots weren’t the hardest or it would have been scored on, but they get a stick on it. It’s great to help the team a little bit.
Yeah, I thought it was good — efficient is a good term to describe it. I didn’t think we gave up a lot defensively, for sure. We didn’t give up many shots or chances, especially in that third period when we expected them to push. I thought we took care of it pretty well there.
On if the way Nylander and Tavares play together is different from when Nylander and Matthews play together:
Yeah, there’s different dynamics at play there. I’ve liked it so far; the chemistry has been good. The nice thing I think that’s come out with the fact that we’ve moved things around here, since I’ve been here, is it’s giving me a pretty good taste of what different things look like. You never know what the season is going to bring and what each game is going to bring. It gives me a feel for different things. Obviously, we’ve used a number of different combinations so far and we like this one and we like a lot of others that have worked too.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (26 SAVES)
On the team’s performance tonight:
I thought we made some good adjustments and definitely played a really solid game. I think we got off to a lead and they had to force some stuff to get back into it. So I think we did a better job of not playing into their hand and forcing too much and made them come to us. I thought we did a good job.
On the forwards and defence working in unison and creating quicker breakouts:
Of course I think any time you can help each other out and make it easier for each other, it’s important. That can make the game less hard. I think guys will take less hits if we play it quicker and help each other out like that.
ALEX KERFOOT (1 GOAL, 100TH NHL POINT)
On William Nylander’s play of late:
He’s been playing really well for a long period of time right now. It’s fun to play with him. He makes plays, he’s hard on pucks and protects the puck down low. So, he makes a lot of stuff happen out there. It’s obviously a pleasure to play with him.
On what has led to the chemistry between himself, Nylander and Tavares:
Well, those two guys are just good hockey players. I think you put anyone on their wing and they’re going to have success. They spend a lot of time in the offensive zone. So, it’s just trying to read off them and make plays and they find space, they make good things happen. So I’m just trying to do my job.
WILLIAM NYLANDER (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On his line getting the first goal of the game from Kerfoot early in the first:
Yeah, it was a great play by Johnny [Tavares] being hard on his stick. There’s kind of a lucky play there in the corner where he lost the puck, but we were able to get possession of it. It’s a great play and a nice goal by Kerf.
On what has allowed he and Tavares to develop chemistry quickly:
I think it’s just that with some players, you just click automatically from the beginning.
On his pass to set up Matthews’ goal on the power play:
I just saw him backdoor and I kind of knew he would be open, so I just tried to get it over there.
JOHN TAVARES (1 GOAL, 1 ASSIST)
On tonight’s win:
Yeah, it probably wasn’t the prettiest. I don’t think we made as many plays as we’re capable of. But it was just one of those games where it felt like ping pong, especially early, and we were just able to capitalize on some good opportunities and then played with the lead pretty well. We were able to do a pretty good job on special teams. So, just stuck with it and just made it difficult for them. Just tried to play five inside and really have to make them earn their opportunities and the ice there and then, obviously, try to generate offense ourselves, try to keep the puck and wear them out and make them have to defend.
On the team finding a way to win despite not making as many plays as it can:
You have to have that to win in this league. There are so many good teams, so many good players. Things aren’t going to always go your way. You’re not always going to make the perfect play and mistakes happen and it’s just the nature of our league, our game. So, just staying with it and doing a good job. We regrouped, I thought, pretty well off the timeouts and got back to our game, did some good things and were able to get the win.
Sheldon Keefe’s Maple Leafs can put the puck in the net. With one game remaining before the calendar turns to 2020, it’s time for the Leafs to tighten up defensively. Outscoring opponents at the midway point of the season with regularity provides excitement for Leafs Nation, but the Leafs — and this isn’t exactly a […]
I really liked our start in the game. Once again, we find a way to play with a lead. Obviously, that’s an area we want to be good at and we want to set ourselves up to win games. Certainly, the focus once again — it went beyond the third period, of course, that’s when the puck goes in the net — but, to me, it gets away on us in the second period. It doesn’t end up in our net, necessarily. We get two elite plays by Auston [Matthews] that give us some goals and give us a cushion there, but I didn’t like a lot of our game in the second period in terms of how we took care of the puck and forced the issue a little bit. And then it just catches up with us a little bit the third period there. While at the same time, I think it gets a little bit louder in the third because the puck ends up in the net — the penalty kill goal and Eichel gets behind us there. The third goal is one that stands out to me as a real negative for us, a lot of sloppy play there. That was more of what we saw, I thought, in the second period.
On trying to balance attacking play with defending a lead:
Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about, we’re fine with that a lot. As I’ve said, we’ve been able to play with the lead a lot here in my time I’ve been here. We’ve had the lead a lot and we’ve put ourselves in these positions a lot. I think in that we’re showing where the next phase is for us as a team. I think the team played from behind a lot early in the season and now we’re playing with a lead a lot. There’s a lot of areas there we’ve got to be a little more purposeful and a little more intelligent with what we do with the puck. I think we have real potential to really control the game in those periods of time, but we’re not there yet.
On the performance of the Nylander-Matthews-Kapanen line:
I thought they were good. I didn’t like, of course, the third goal. Couldn’t get the puck out and you get caught out there tired and when you get out there tired, you’re going to have defensive breakdowns. But I thought they had the puck a lot more today, a lot more time in the offensive zone. The goals were elite and that’s what you come to expect when he has those opportunities like that — finish — and he made no mistake. That really puts us in a position to win the game. He did his job.
On the team’s ability to win while he’s making adjustments to the style of play:
I think it just speaks to the potential of the team because we’re still nowhere near what I think we can look like and what we’re capable of, but we’re doing a lot of good things. The penalty kill lets one in here today, but we get a huge kill late in the game. So, special teams have been better there. The power play had some looks and had some chances. I think we can get a little bit better there as well. Playing with the lead, getting the lead — a lot of good, positive things that we’ve seen. Yet, I still think there’s a long way for the team to go and continue to grow.
TYSON BARRIE (2 ASSISTS)
On playing tonight after missing most of Saturday’s game against Edmonton:
Yeah, it was good. We didn’t skate this morning either, so I wasn’t sure how it was going to feel but thankfully it felt really good. Hopefully that’s behind me.
On the team getting off to a strong start:
I think we’re putting ourselves in good position, got up early, but we’ve got to find a way to control that lead. Still play solid defence but find a way to continue to carry the play and stay in the O-zone. That will be a focus for us but obviously anytime you get a 3-0 lead is big.
On the defence being active in the offensive zone:
It’s tough. I think we play against it and when the D is active and kind of rolling around the O-zone it’s really tough to sort out who’s who. You’re going to get some open looks, [Rielly] found me with a good pass — I think I just missed it — but it’s a lot of fun too. I think it suits our team well.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (2 GOALS)
On what the team did well in transition to lead to his goals:
Well, I think for us, you get rush opportunities when you’re good without the puck and in good positions. I think you just pick up the players, you’re in good spots and you’re able to catch them on odd-man rushes. So, a couple of those plays, especially my second goal, just a really nice play by Willy [Nylander] to get the zone entry and pull up and find me, the late guy coming in.
On if he liked the team’s resilience to keep pushing back when Buffalo gained momentum:
Yeah, I think we’d like to do a better job and not let it get as close as it did. But I think it’s all about the process that we’re going through to make sure that when we’re playing with a lead that we’re taking care of the puck and trying not to change too much in our game. Obviously, sometimes you’ve got to live to fight another day in certain areas of the game and on certain plays.
JOHN TAVARES (9 SHOT ATTEMPTS)
On what he liked about tonight’s game:
Well, I think when we come back well through the middle of the ice and get above them and let our [defence] be able to stay up, we have a great transition type of team. In the first half of the game, I think we did a lot of good things. Even on the cycle and in-zone and generating some offense and some puck possession, but I think we’d like to be a little better, especially the second half of the game. As we start to play with some more leads, which we have and is a good sign and something we want to keep doing, we obviously want to continue to take the game, control it and continue to increase our lead if we can and make the opponent have to defend. Overall, we stuck with it and a good win.
On how the game feels different when playing with the lead:
Well I think the other team has to chase it a little bit. You know, we can just stick to what we’re doing and be aggressive, but we can be patient with our game. Just really try not to give them much room or anything easy and really have to force anything. Just stay with it and build on what we’re doing well.
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I think the guys just went out and played with confidence and felt like they could take control of the game. It takes some time to establish that and we had to find our way through the first period and I kind of felt out some things. I thought once we settled into the game, I thought we were full marks and the guys played well. More importantly than how we played I just thought we had good energy on the bench. I was really impressed. Obviously, it’s my first time being part of the group like that. The interactions with the players on the bench, the energy, the vibe, the reaction of the players on Barrie’s goal — you just see they really care for him as a teammate and really feel good for him. Those types of things are takeaways for me.
On his first game behind an NHL bench:
I thought it went well. It felt like a hockey game. I was a little behind on a couple of my line changes, I’d like to speed that up a little bit, but the players took care of me well there, I appreciated that. All in all, it did feel like a hockey game to me. I didn’t know how it was going to be. The whole day felt very comfortable, obviously I’m very happy about that and the credit for that goes to the support staff for the help they’ve provided, the assistant coaches and training staff for this transition. The players, they’ve been open-minded and welcoming and engaged. They just want to be coached and they allowed me to do that today and I appreciated that. We asked a lot of them on a game day, a lot of new things coming at them, tried to keep it as simple as possible, but, still, it’s new things coming at them and they have to mix up the routine and all those things. To come up with a pretty good effort, right until the very end of course, we had a mishap and we owe Freddie [Andersen] one, for sure. I’m just very happy.
On starting Barrie alongside Rielly:
We just talked about the fact we were probably going to mix and match our D pairings in different situations throughout the game. Offensive faceoffs, just at times when we think we can get them on the ice together and it’ll really help us offensively. We wanted to have a good first shift, we wanted to establish a good game and get the Matthews line going and thought it was a good chance to do that. Obviously, specific to Tyson, he’s a guy we’re trying to mix things up a little bit with here and get him going. Today obviously the goal is a big weight off his shoulders. We’re going to continue to try to do those things.
On what the group did best today:
I thought what we did best was they held on to the puck and I thought, through the neutral zone especially, got organized and used the skill and speed we’ve talked about. I thought that really established some really good play for us in the offensive zone and really, at times, allowed us to control the play. That was the thing I was most impressed with. I thought that might be the easiest thing for them given the ability of the players and that’s what I saw.
On seeing Pierre Engvall score his first career NHL goal:
Any time you see a guy score his first NHL goal it’s a big deal. I was happy it came on the penalty kill. That’s an area of Pierre’s game that wasn’t there before he came to the Marlies and he was given that responsibility and he has really learned to the point where I trusted him here in an NHL game to do it. I thought, not just the goal, he was good in other areas of the penalty kill as well. I used him and Andreas Johnsson today on the penalty kill as two new guys with lots of speed and tenacity on the puck.
On the team showing him enthusiasm after the win:
It makes you feel good, for sure. As I was saying, the biggest takeaway for me today is that we’ve got really good people here, good energy and it was really noticeable for me when that first goal went in, most of the guys are happy to score but it was different, it was a different feeling on the bench just because you can tell they care for one another and to see Barrie score that goal, it was a good moment. It really speaks to the character of the group and they’ve been really welcoming for me, they’ve been really engaged and listening. I couldn’t have asked for a better first day.
On what he’ll remember most about the day:
Oh man, I don’t think I’ve slept in a few days so I’m not sure I’ll remember any of this when I get up in the morning. The thing I’ll take away is just that the players made it so comfortable to coach them today. That’s what I’ll really take away. Just having my family here, my wife and kids, my mother-in-law is here — my in-laws and my wife are from here in Arizona — my parents have been able to make the trip. All of that, just having them be a part of this is probably the biggest thing.
On if he’ll keep any mementos from tonight:
They gave me the puck after the game and I haven’t really thought about what to do with it, but it’s special, nonetheless. It has the Coyotes logo on it too, which is pretty meaningful for me and my family as well. It’s a special day in that sense, but one of the things I was really wanting to be mindful of was to not make today about me. I want to make it about the players and about the team and I’m happy that it worked out good for everybody.
FREDERIK ANDERSEN (30 SAVES)
On tonight’s win:
I thought we played with pretty good confidence, pretty good pressure, but also at times when we needed to take it easy, I thought we were good at that too. It was a good step for us. I thought we really played well in the offensive zone as well. Guys were skating a lot and making room for each other and moving around. It was great to see.
On what stands out about new head coach Sheldon Keefe:
It’s too early to say. I don’t want to start talking too much, but I thought we came out and answered really good today and it’s going to be a testing time now to keep moving, keep moving forward after this and building on it.
On the importance of his first period glove save:
I thought it was nice to be rewarded off us having a good period and being up 1-0. Obviously, a huge goal by [Barrie] but, obviously, that felt good to make that save and keep it at zeros. Like I said, good to be rewarded for a good period and I thought we continued that throughout the game.
TYSON BARRIE (FIRST GOAL AS A MAPLE LEAF)
On scoring his first goal of the year:
I’m not going to lie, that feels good. Especially going into Denver tonight. I didn’t want to go in with no goals so it feels a little better.
On if that was the type of goal he’s used to scoring:
Yeah, I think I’ve done a good job jumping in in the past and kind of choosing some holes so that was what I’m accustomed to. It was nice to get that for sure.
On if he tried to be more involved offensively tonight:
Yeah, I think our whole team was a little more aggressive and had a little bit more speed through the neutral zone. We had a lot of fun out there tonight and I think it showed.
PIERRE ENGVALL (FIRST NHL GOAL)
On what he’ll remember about his first NHL goal:
I mean, just the feeling to score was unbelievable. Just so happy for it.
On his post-goal celebration:
I don’t really know. I was just so happy and tried to do something special for the first celly. I think I did it.
On if his teammates gave him a hard time after falling during his celebration:
I did a lot. We watched it – it was a PK goal – so we watched it, like, five times on the break. So, yeah, I got it.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (1 GOAL)
On which of the team’s three goals he liked the best:
I’d probably have to go with the first. Obviously, a great play by [Barrie], that’s a big monkey off the back for him. First goal for Pierre [Engvall]. A pretty special night for a lot of guys here and a big two points with everything that’s been going on the last couple of weeks and the last 36 hours.
On the emotions after tonight’s win:
I think a little bit of everything. I think we’re just excited we got back in the win column. We take a little pressure off ourselves and just continue to build on this. A new coach, obviously some stuff we need to work on, some stuff that’s going to change systematically. I thought tonight, with everything that he threw at us in a short period of time that he’d like to see, I thought we executed that for the most part. We’ll just try to build from there.
On what led to a more cohesive effort tonight:
I just think a little bit more freedom and we weren’t really just giving up the puck. I thought when something wasn’t there, we’d just kind of come back and hang on to it and we’d all come up and support each other. We didn’t have guys all over the place. That’s something that opens up stuff for us because we’ve got a lot of guys that can skate and are skilled with the puck and can skate through the neutral zone. Guys are using each other and when we support each other all over the ice we tend to have the puck on our tape for a majority of the game, which we did tonight.
Toronto: M. Read (1) (K. Rubins, T. Gaudet) Goaltender: K. Kaskisuo (28/30)
Rockford: R. Johnson (3) (N. Moutry, M. Entwistle), P. Kurashev (1) PP (P. Holm, N. Beaudin), B. Hagel (2) EN (I. McCoshen) Goaltender: K. Lankinen (19/20)
ON THE SCORESHEET
Matt Readopened the scoring eight seconds into the second period. This is Read’s first goal for the Marlies. He has three points (1 goal, 2 assists) through nine games.
Kristians Rubins recorded the primary assist on Read’s second period goal. Rubins has three assists through eight games.
Tyler Gaudet registered the secondary assist on Read’s second period goal. Gaudet has picked up five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 10 games this season.
Kasimir Kaskisuo stopped 28 of 30 shots he faced. Kaskisuo is now 5-1-1-0 on the season with a .925 Save Percentage and a 2.15 Goals Against Average.
OF NOTE…
The Marlies have played two games at 10:30 a.m. (1-1-0-0) since 2005-06, both against Oklahoma City in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
Toronto has not given up an empty-net goal since March 23, 2019 in a 5-2 loss against the Rochester Americans.
This is Toronto’s first regulation loss this season, capturing 17 of 22 points through their first 11 games.
Toronto was 5-for-6 on the penalty kill and was 0-for-5 on the power play.
Rockford had a 31-20 edge in shots in all situations. Multiple playersled the Marlies with two shots on goal.
The Marlies are 2-1-0-0 against Central Division opponents and are 0-1-0-0 against the IceHogs. This is the first of two games this season against Rockford. Toronto last played Rockford on April 18, 2015, winning 3-1 on the road.
The Toronto Marlies are on their annual Royal Road Trip where they will play seven away games from October 26 to November 9 as Coca-Cola Coliseum hosts the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
REGULAR SEASON LEADERS
Goals: P. Aberg (7)
Assists: J. Bracco (8)
Points: P. Aberg (12)
PPG: E. Korshkov (4)
Shots: P. Aberg (37)
+/-: B. Harpur (+11)
PIMS: E. Korshkov,J. Schmaltz (12)
RECORD WHEN…
Toronto is 6-1-1-1 when scoring first.
The Marlies are 2-1-0-0 when tied after the first period and 1-1-2-0 when trailing after the second period.
Toronto is 2-1-1-1 when outshot by their opponent.
The Marlies are 1-1-0-0 in Wednesday games and are 1-1-0-1 in November.
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
No current point streaks
MARLIES UPDATES.
Darren Archibald (forearm strain) did not play in today’s game against Rockford.
Adam Brooks (concussion) did not play in today’s game against Rockford.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
November 5: Recalled forward Aaron Luchuk from to Newfoundland (ECHL).
November 5: Recalled forward Giorgio Estephan from loan to Newfoundland (ECHL).
November 5: Recalled forward Nic Petan from loan to Toronto (NHL).
November 3: Returned forward Zach O’Brien on loan to Newfoundland (ECHL).
November 1: Loaned forward Nic Petan from Toronto (NHL) to Toronto (AHL).
October 31: Traded defenceman Ryan Johnston to San Diego (AHL).
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH SHELDON KEEFE
On today’s game: We just really struggled to generate any sort of offence today. That was our biggest issue. Penalties of course would be the only thing that would be bigger than that. At five-on-five today, I mean we didn’t give up very much. It was the least amount of scoring chances that we’ve given up all season but we just didn’t get any offence today ourselves and you need to score more than one goal to win and our power play couldn’t make it up for us. They scored a power play goal and we didn’t. We took too many penalties. Special teams, really for me, is what lost the game but we couldn’t get any rhythm, we couldn’t get on the inside and overall, I just thought we were the slower team on the ice today, thought that they outskated us and out-skilled us in a lot of areas of the game and it makes it pretty tough on you that way.
NEXT GAME:
November 8 at Grand Rapids – 7:00 p.m. ET November 9 at Grand Rapids – 7:00 p.m. ET November 16 vs Texas – 4:00 p.m. ET November 17 vs Texas – 4:00 p.m. ET November 20 vs Laval – 7:00 p.m. ET
The view from left field 