The Toronto Maple Leafs have to be pleased with how some of their players are performing at the World Cup of Hockey.
Morgan Rielly is playing on Team North America’s top defensive pairing with Calder Trophy winner Aaron Ekblad and seeing time on the power play, Roman Polak and Milan Michalek have been solid as veteran role players for the Czech Republic and Leo Komarov continues to establish himself as a preeminent pest for the Finns, but it is Auston Matthews and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev that have to be the reason for the most excitement.
The expectation during pre-tournament practices was that the 18-year-old top overall pick would not be getting a major role on a roster that included more experienced forwards such as Johnny Gaudreau and Brandon Saad, but coach Todd McLellan has gradually increased Matthews’ ice time and responsibilities with each game.
The Maple Leafs top pick was on the third line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nathan MacKinnon in the pre-tournament opener vs Team Europe and played just over 13 minutes in a 4-0 victory. In the exhibition finale vs the Czech Republic on Wednesday, only Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Gaudreau and Mark Scheifele played more and Matthews saw regular time on the power play, where he scored his first goal.
Matthews goal pic.twitter.com/7QiaHbuS9k
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 14, 2016
Matthews has been able thus far to dismiss concerns of not being willing to battle along the boards, as the big forward gave NHL teammate Polak a cross check to the back after the Leafs defenseman crumped McDavid.
Unnecessary hit from Roman Polak in the final 5 seconds of the 2nd period Auston Matthews comes to McDavid’s defense pic.twitter.com/CW76qDP2Yl
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) September 14, 2016
With a club that has some size but could expect more experienced clubs such as Finland and Russia to be more physical, it like very possible that Matthews will be a top six option for McLellan when the 23-and-under squad plays Finland on Sunday.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was anxious to get a close up look at Zaitsev on Wednesday when Canada played Russia and he was not shortchanged, as the former KHLer was the only Team Russia skater whose ice time exceeded 20 minutes and played on both the power play and penalty kill.
87&37&63 draw a penalty pic.twitter.com/x7350mhuNj
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 15, 2016
The 24-year-old blueliner made a good play covering up for defensive partner Dmitri Orlov on a Patrice Bergeron scoring chance, nearly scored past Carey Price as a quick shot rang off the pipe and was denied an assist as a feed to Artemi Panarin at the side of the net broke the Calder winner’s stick.
Defense is generally accepted as Russia’s soft spot and with veteran Andrei Markov not being able to play excess minutes in his late 30’s, Zaitsev could see an expanded role with the man advantage and five-on-five.
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