Sports

‘More connected’ Maple Leafs credit improved mindset, work ethic

news7h 11/08/2021

3 4 minutes read

Writer of the article:

Terry Koshan

Publishing date:

Nov 08, 2021 • 12 minutes in the past • 3 minute learn • Be a part of the dialog

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Muzzin (8) celebrates his aim towards the Detroit Crimson Wings throughout first interval NHL hockey motion in Toronto on Saturday, October 30, 2021. Picture by Nathan Denette /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Don’t deviate from the method and the outcome shouldn’t change.

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When the Maple Leafs play host to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday evening at Scotiabank Enviornment, Toronto will look to run its successful streak to 6 video games, which might match its longest run of excellent fortune final season.

What has gone into the success, which comes after the Leafs misplaced 4 in a row and gave the impression to be on the point of making adjustments?

“General, our mindset and our work ethic has been rather a lot higher,” veteran defenceman Jake Muzzin mentioned after participating within the non-obligatory morning skate.

“I really feel we’re much more linked. Guys have an incredible mindset in outworking groups and outchecking groups for probabilities, versus simply making an attempt to drive probabilities.

“It has been good. It’s lengthy season. It’s good to get some video games going right here and get some confidence within the group.”

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After all, the wins wouldn’t be piling up with out the play of goalie Jack Campbell, who will face the Kings for the primary time (and first time in his NHL profession) for the reason that Leafs acquired him from L.A. in February 2020.

With Petr Mrazek on the sideline for the following 4 weeks with a groin damage, Campbell will maintain carrying the ball within the Leafs internet. He hasn’t dropped it this season, placing up a .936 save proportion in 10 video games.

Campbell is making an attempt to enhance at being not as self-critical as he has been up to now.

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“It’s a great high quality within the sense the place he judges his sport harshly and expects a number of himself, however as teammates, you remind him that it’s a crew sport,” centre Jason Spezza mentioned. “Numerous occasions there are conditions that he feels his fault (really) should not, and it’s a must to assist him with that. It reveals the fervour he has and the drive he has and why he has had the success he has. He’s proven nice development in that division.

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“You don’t see a number of guys (within the NHL) carry the workload that he’s carrying. It speaks to his dedication to get himself prepared day in and day trip.”

Jonathan Fast will begin in aim for the Kings, who received’t have an injured Drew Doughty.

In 11 profession video games towards Toronto, Fast is 6-4-1 with a .922 save proportion and a 2.32 goals-against common with one shutout.

Los Angeles, which is beginning a four-game journey that features stops in Montreal, Ottawa and Winnipeg, has received 4 in a row.

“That is an L.A. crew that identical to us, they’ve been on a little bit of a streak and they’re feeling good about themselves,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe mentioned. “They’re an excellent crew at 5 on 5 and now we have to play affected person sport and anticipate that it’s going to be troublesome to get by the impartial zone and troublesome to get entry to the goaltender.”

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Two gamers referred to as up from the Toronto Marlies on Sunday — forwards Kirill Semyonov and Joey Anderson — took half within the non-obligatory morning skate.

TJ Brodie, who didn’t practise on Sunday for upkeep causes, additionally took the non-obligatory.

Keefe mentioned he didn’t anticipate making any lineup adjustments from the win on Saturday towards the Boston Bruins. Which means defenceman Justin Holl will sit for the fifth sport in a row because the Leafs end a season-high five-game dwelling stand.