Article content

The longest-serving Maple Leaf didn’t want to feel like a jinx.

Article content

Morgan Rielly was very pleased to be part of the past two wins after the club won five while he served his suspension for roughing up Ottawa’s Ridly Greig. The defenceman hasn’t had a point since returning, but on Saturday ended up blocking a shot on the side of his helmet in the late stages to help protect a 4-3 win over Colorado.

Article content

“I was definitely nervous coming in (to his first game, a 7-3 win two nights earlier in Vegas),” Rielly told media in Denver. “The team was rolling and that was really nerve-wracking. You’re just trying to find your game again, get back into a rhythm. It’s not as easy as it seems.

“After a practice at home (where he hasn’t been in a game since Feb. 7) I expect to be back and playing like my usual self.

“The guys were supportive. They were playing well (continuing a surprisingly great record without their alternate captain, going back to his absences through injuries) and I was trying not to upset the apple cart.”

Article content

Article content

Winger Mitch Marner knew Rielly was going to feel a little awkward returning with everything running so smoothly.

“That’s always kind of the first reaction. The team is still rolling without you, you come back kind of scared because you don’t want to mess up the mojo and everyone is superstitious in their own way. But he’s going to make it better for us and he’s already done that the first two games.”

TYING IT UP FRONT

One big reason coach Sheldon Keefe and the Leafs like Tyler Bertuzzi on the first power-play unit is that his toolbox is similar to predecessor John Tavares.

Keefe moved Bertuzzi there to create even more opportunity than he was generating on the second line at even strength with Max Domi and William Nylander. Two of his three goals Saturday for his first Toronto hat trick were with the man advantage.

Article content

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

“He’s got to the skill set to play the net front,” Keefe said. “He and John are similar and John’s done a great job in that space for years. Whether it’s him or John, they have that tenacity.”

Marner says joining the high-wire act on the power play, which includes his own deft puck handling, Nylander weaving through the lanes and Auston Matthews’ lethal shot can be intimidating for the fourth forward, especially a new addition.

“It’s pretty tough to be out there with a couple of us, because we’re calling for the puck, we want it (badly) and usually that middle guy doesn’t have too much fun. He’s just kind of skating around to get rebounds and (deflections).

“He just fits in well because he’s still a very elite tipper, he gets in front, screens the goalie and does a good job of finding quiet ice.”

Article content

BLACK AND BLUE LINE

To be evaluated on the flight home, as well as during Sunday’s day off and at Monday’s practice is the condition of some sore defencemen.

Timothy Liljegren missed part of the third period, Simon Benoit took a puck in the foot and missed some first-period time and there was Rielly’s close call in the noggin. The Leafs blocked 24 shots Saturday, three by Benoit and fellow defenders TJ Brodie and William Lagesson.

Mark Giordano is expected back after a week off following the sudden passing of his father and there should be an update on Conor Timmins, who came down with mononucleosis before the four-game road trip.

LOOSE LEAFS

Keefe passed Bill Peters on the NHL’s career coaching wins ladder on Saturday for 87^th place, needing one more for 200 … When Joseph Woll does return from his conditioning stint with the Marlies, he’ll need two wins to give the Leafs three goalies with at least 10 in one season for the first time in franchise history. NHL Stats has just a handful of teams splitting wins that way the past few years, including the Canucks and Hurricanes last season … Marner is one of the partners at the new 200-seat Blue Bovine steak and sushi house in Union Station with Dragon’s Den TV star Kevin O’Leary, under the stewardship of Liberty Entertainment’s Nick Di Donato.

[email protected]

X: @sunhornby

Article content