Article content

As the calendar year 2023 draws to a close for the Maple Leafs this weekend, they must be reflecting on points they left on the table.

Article content

Going back to Jan. 1, their record stood at 44-22-11 before Friday’s game in Columbus and Saturday at home to Carolina. It wasn’t just frittered-away wins in those 11 overtime/shootout losses, but far too many outright defeats to clubs residing in the bottom five of the National Hockey League standings.

Article content

They find themselves once more chasing top-seeded Boston in the Atlantic Division, this time with lots of company, though it must be said finishing first did not benefit the Bruins in a stunning first-round upset by Florida, which went on to beat the Leafs in five games in the second round.

As 2024 is ushered in, the Leafs can’t let their bank account waste away again, if they intend to be well-rested for playoffs.

MAX-ING OUT THE HOLIDAYS

Article content

Article content

Spending Christmas in Toronto was something Max Domi thought would just be a childhood memory until signed by the Leafs this summer.

Before departing for eight seasons with Arizona, Montreal, Columbus and Chicago, a young Domi had an annual celebration at Scotiabank Arena with father Tie at the great team family parties in what was then the Air Canada Centre.

“They were held upstairs at the Hot Stove Club,” Max said. “We’d go up there and chill, Santa would come (usually Johnny Bower) and we’d sit on his lap.

“The coolest part was going out on the ice. It was mostly laps, but at some point, half the ice would be set up for a hockey game. Tom Fitzgerald’s sons, Casey and Ryan (both now pro players) were there, the Joseph brothers and later Ed Belfour’s son (Dayn) who was a pretty good goalie, too.”

Article content

Despite losing their first game back from the break to Ottawa, Domi said getting three days away from the rink was a godsend.

“At this point (in the schedule) it felt like a year off.  And to be home was a complete game changer. It takes away the stress of an extra three or four flight (coming and going to Toronto). We had a nice dinner and my Mom is a pretty good cook.”

BUDS BEHIND THE BENCH

While former Leaf D.J. Smith was a recent coaching casualty in Ottawa, two more former players made hiring news this week.

Feisty forward Kris Newbury, who was on the Leafs in the early 2000s, was named an assistant with the OHL Windsor Spitfires as they re-structure.

PWHL Minnesota has also named Ken Klee as head coach. The former Toronto defenceman among his 900-plus NHL games and the previous coach of the gold medal U.S. national women’s team, takes over after the sudden departure of Charlie Burggraf on the eve of the league’s inaugural season.

Article content

LOOSE LEAFS

Jackets forward Sean Kuraly lists himself as day-to-day. He had to be checked out by paramedics last Saturday during the Leafs visit when the butt end of his stick bruised his ribs and affected breathing …   Friday was Sheldon Keefe’s 300^th game in the NHL. No other coach had a higher regular-season winning percentage than Keefe’s .612 in less than 300 … Winger Tyler Bertuzzi went into Friday needing two goals for 100 in the NHL … The Marlies are home to Belleville on Saturday at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Goalie Dennis Hildeby is seventh in AHL save percentage with .920 … The Leafs’ five-goal, third period comeback to get a point off Columbus at SBA on Dec. 14 was a season highlight, while Saturday marks 34 years since they scored six straight late to beat Boston 7-6 in overtime at the Gardens … Columbus Blue Jackets placed defenceman Zach Werenski on injured reserve Friday with an ankle injury.

[email protected]

Article content