If you want to know what a 60-minute effort looks like, the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 victory over Calgary on Monday is the best example they have put forth this season.
The Leafs got their three-game Western Canada road swing off on the right foot, as fourth liners Tyler Ennis and Trevor Moore combined for five points, Zach Hyman scored twice, Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists and Frederik Andersen made 35 saves for his 32nd victory of the season.
Ennis, who was a healthy scratch in the Leafs win over Buffalo on Saturday, recorded his first career hat trick with a power play and two unusual even-strength goals on Flames goalie David Rittich. The 29-year-old was signed to a one-year, 650,000 contract last July after being bought out by Minnesota and has been very productive in a limited role, scoring 12 goals in 40 games, in spite of missing six weeks with a broken ankle.
Moore has built on his success during the Calder Cup run last spring and a great first half with the Toronto Marlies, with seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 12 games with the Leafs. The 23-year-old has been a spark plug on the Leafs fourth line, using his speed and tenacity to create offensive chances for himself and his linemates, which should make it close to impossible to send him back to the AHL after Nazem Kadri returns to the lineup.
“We’ve been building a lot of chemistry over the last few weeks.” Ennis said after the game. “(Moore) is so quick on pucks and he works so hard and he’s got such a great attitude. He wants to succeed. He’s got that youthful energy and provided us with some of that youthful energy. It’s super fun playing with (Moore and Frederik Gauthier). We’re just building confidence and we’ve got to keep going.”
Toronto avoided their usual first period struggles, taking a three goal lead after 20 minutes, much to the dismay of the Flames faithful and to the great pleasure of a large throng of Leafs fans invading the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Andersen was in top form, especially in the first half of the game, making a breakaway blocker stop on Austin Czarnik and an impressive glove save on Johnny Gaudreau. Hyman extended the lead to 4-0 on a set up from Marner. Matthew Tkachuk got Calgary on the board late in the second, but Ennis put the game away with his hat trick goal early in the third.
“We scored and that was good. I thought Tavares' line really set the tone,” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. (Ennis) had a big night for us and found a way for the puck to go in. A good win for our team here. (Calgary is) a real good team and (the win was) a nice way to start the road trip.”
*******
The Leafs have signed goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year extension for $750,000.
Sparks is in his first full season with the Maple Leafs after playing part-time with the club in 2015-16 and leading the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup Championship last season, but has been inconsistent and put up pedestrian numbers (3.09 GAA, 7-5-1 record, .902 save %) backing up Frederik Andersen.
The 25-year-old's play has not inspired confidence from head coach Mike Babcock to be used in more than just back-to-back situations, but GM Kyle Dubas being proactive and getting Sparks signed to a one-way contract for slightly over the league minimum gives the Leafs cost-certainty heading into the summer.
The signing also could lead the Leafs trading Sparks in the offseason if they decide there is an available upgrade during the offseason.
*******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.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»