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The 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings was a successful bounce back effort for the Toronto Maple Leafs after a subpar showing against Ottawa last Saturday, as the club got a more competitive effort and goaltender Frederik Andersen kept Toronto in the lead with a number of key saves.
The Leafs fourth line of Matt Martin, Dominic Moore and Mitch Marner provided a matchup problem for the Kings, who came into the game as the only NHL team to not lose in regulation.
Martin scored his first goal of the season and was a presence physically throughout the night, coming to the defense of both linemates after Kings players had hit them.
Marner had his best game of the season, assisting on Martin and Tyler Bozak’s power play goal in the second period and showing more confidence since being demoted last week.
“I thought Mitch was really good. I thought he had real good jump and (the fourth line) were a real factor for us.… Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “I thought he had the best jump of anybody in the first – I didn't think we were great in the first.…
The season debut of defenseman Roman Polak was successful. The veteran blueliner registered an assist on Martin’s opening goal and provided a stabilizing effect on the bottom pairing with rookie Andreas Borgman.
“I thought it was interesting, Roman (was) back tonight and Borgman had his best game. It really goes together, having someone to talk to and help you out too.… Babcock said. “Obviously, [Polak] hasn't played so it's going to take him a bit (of time) here. We were comfortable, we had him out there one shift against Kopitar – just the way it worked out – and they were fine against him. I thought that was a good night for those guys.…
While Polak’s presence adds experience and a bit of sandpaper, his impact on the club’s top four will be limited to lightening the workload on them a bit by taking a bigger role on the penalty kill.
Over the last couple games, there have been signs of old habits creeping in. Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev were both -3 on Saturday and the pairing were again victimized on Adrian Kempe’s goal in the second period, while Morgan Rielly’s miscue on a Leafs power play allowed the Kings to close within one in the third period.
While nothing in likely to happen soon, it is probable that the Leafs will continue to explore trade options leading up to the trade deadline if any defensemen are being shopped.
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Eric Fehr cleared waivers on Tuesday, but the Maple Leafs have yet to send the veteran forward to the American Hockey League.
The Toronto Marlies are loaded with bodies. They loaned goalie Kasimir Kaskisuo to the Chicago Wolves on Monday (who have a goaltending shortage due to injuries with the parent Vegas Golden Knights) and head coach Sheldon Keefe has been rotating a number of forwards and defensemen this season.
The Leafs may have put Fehr on waivers to see if another NHL club is interested. His $2 Million price tag may be too steep to be claimed outright, but teams interested may be willing to make a deal if Toronto takes back a contract to alleviate the cap hit. *******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******