This was nothing like the last meeting. New Jersey embarrassed the Maple Leafs earlier this year, skating circles around them and making it a long night. None of that came up here. Toronto had the pace, never let up and didn’t panic. By the end of the evening they were the ones standing tall with a 4-0 shutout.
From Joseph Woll’s perspective, it was perfect hockey. He stopped everything. His teammates, even without Auston Matthews and William Nylander, scored a goal every period until the end. The fourth goal ended up in an empty goal.
You might see a team starting to figure it out even if the standings haven’t caught up. Three things stood out.
Takeaway one: Woll set the tone and his team gave more than enough to win
This game started and ended at the crease. Woll stood on his head when he had to, especially early, when New Jersey was still trying to turn speed into momentum. He made every save at the right time and that ensured that the match did not turn over.
That was important because New Jersey doesn’t need much. One loose puck, one scramble and suddenly the game feels different. Toronto never had to chase. The shutout came from staying calm, and Woll’s performance seemed to destroy any belief on the other bench. As a result, everything else became easier.
Takeaway Two: The Maple Leafs depth rating determined the game
With Matthews and Nylander out, this could have been a night where Toronto was just trying to survive. Instead, guys like Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson seized the moment. McMann scored a power-play goal that ended up being the game-winner, and his speed, strength and purpose were on display in his shifts all night.
Robertson was just as striking. His puck movement and pace through the neutral zone were second to none. He made small decisions that kept plays alive instead of forcing them. His energy was not reckless, but controlled.
Robertson has shown he is ready for this moment. You see him taking responsibility. And when he starts pushing the play, it lifts everyone around him.
Takeaway Three: Is this the game Berube pushed for?
If this is the kind of game head coach Craig Berube promotes, then it’s a good model. The team played in layers, with the attackers dropping back and the defenders finishing their play without wandering. Simon Benoit threw his weight along the boards, without chasing any hits. Nicolas Roy looked strong all night.
Nothing about this game felt rushed. Toronto didn’t try to win it in one shift. They didn’t force anything. They let the game get to them, didn’t get cute and just kept throwing pucks at the net. We saw this movie earlier this season; he usually ends badly. This time it stayed together.
Who knows what’s next for this team? Is it one step forward and two steps back? Against the Devils, this team finally played for an identity instead of searching for one.
What’s next for the Maple Leafs?
The Maple Leafs are still not in the playoffs, and that hasn’t changed. The margin is thin and every night will matter. But here’s the interesting question hanging in the air: What if this is actually the right way to enter the postseason?
Instead of cruising and looking at the scoreboard, they had to earn every inch. That kind of rut tends to resolve things pretty quickly. If they get into trouble this way: claw, defend, lean on the structure. Maybe they don’t need to take off and find their stride later. Maybe they’ve been building it all season.
Related: Devils’ Coach Challenges Team After Hischier-Knies Fight
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