Maple Leafs Notebook: Matthews good to go for Sandin’s return

TORONTO — There could be something magical about Auston Matthews becoming the only active NHLer to register two 60-goal seasons with Alex Ovechkin in the building, as the Toronto Maple Leafs sniper is good to go for Thursday’s game.

Matthews, who leads the league with 59 goals, was absent from morning skate due to illness but then warmed up and is offcially in the lineup for his club’s third and final meeting against the playoff-hunting Washington Capitals.

Matthews has missed only one game this season, due to a flu bug on Dec. 16, and is on pace for 68 goals. Ovechkin peaked with 65 in 2007-08.

Coach Sheldon Keefe said Matthews is dealing with something “a little different” than the flu bug that has trickled through the Leafs’ dressing room this winter.

“Hopeful that it’s more manageable that he could be available tonight,” Keefe said, “but see how the extra rest today benefits him.”

Pressure on leaders to respond to public callout

With surging Tampa Bay pulling within two points of the Maple Leafs on Wednesday and threatening to drop Toronto to fourth place in the Atlantic Division, Keefe’s bunch is more concerned with the internal pressure to get its game in order.

The coach fired a bullet following Tuesday’s blown-lead loss to New Jersey, blasting his leaders for “immature” play both in the dressing room and from the podium post-game.

“I think Keefer does a good job of walking that line of when it’s maybe behind closed doors sometimes, then you go in the open with it, like happened last game,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery, who previously served as one of Keefe’s assistants. “You walk that line, and it’s a feel thing. That’s part of being a head coach and recognizing the times where you got to push some buttons and push your group, push your leadership group, and push your best players.”

Carbery has made his own team aware that the Leafs will be looking to respond from this public embarrassment and is bracing for a bounce-back from Toronto forwards William Nylander and John Tavares in particular.

“The absolute best they have to offer. Our guys will know what went on with New Jersey. And I know Will and John and how they’ll respond in moments like this and in games like this, [reacting to a loss] where they don’t perform to the level that they’re capable of. We’re gonna get their best.”

Leafs winger Nick Robertson believes Keefe’s criticism was both warranted and well received.

“We had Jersey, and we had the lead, and we gave them the game,” Robertson said. “We need to really get it cleaned up leading into playoffs.

“The great thing about hockey is, we got another game to change our mindset. And it starts tonight.”

Welcome back, Rasmus

A first-round pick and beloved member of the Leafs organization for nearly five years, an excited Rasmus Sandin has had his Toronto return circled on the calendar all season.

“It’s going to be a special moment,” Capitals teammate Alex Ovechkin says.

Sandin had a chance to visit former Leafs teammate Calle Järnkrok and his family Wednesday and was all smiles reflecting on his Leafs days from the visitors’ quarters at morning skate.

“I think the history of the organization and how big it is here with hockey in this city. Fans are really passionate. So, obviously, fans make it a little bit extra special,” the 24-year-old said. “I was lucky that with all the good Swedes that have been through the organization, that was something I was really proud of — playing in the same organization s some of the greats.”

Sandin was traded out of town by former GM Kyle Dubas for a draft pick that would become top prospect Easton Cowan.

The puck-moving defenceman earned a five-year, $23-million contract extension in Washington. The type of payday that eluded him in Toronto now has him house-hunting in the D.C. area.

“It means a lot, for sure,” Sandin said. “I enjoy being there and enjoy playing with all my teammates here, and organization is great. And for them to have that belief in me to sign me for five years, I think that shows how much they believe in me and want me in this organization right now. So, that’s very exciting. And I’m very honoured to get that deal as well. So, it’s a lot of fun.”

Expect a Jumbotron appreciation for Sandin at Scotiabank Aeena.

Accidental kid line

With Marner and Järnkrok missing in action, Keefe has landed on a young-guys third line composed of Robertson, rookie Matthew Knies, and mid-season callup Pontus Holmberg.

Three players setting career highs in NHL games played, and three guys hungry to earn their coach’s trust.

The upside of not having a Matthews or Tavares centering the unit is that the young guys don’t feel obligated to defer to a star player in the offensive zone.

“Yeah, 100 per cent,” Robertson said. “You can ask Homer, me, or Kniesy: We’ve always played with guys that need the puck on their sticks, and that’s part of the thing. They obviously get paid a lot to have the pucks on their sticks.

“So, it’s nice being with younger guys you’re kinda more comfortable to talk to, comfortable to maybe take the shot or give them the puck. But it’s nice to be just a different look with the younger guys.”

One-Timers: Defenceman Morgan Rielly has yet to skate with the team since suffering his upper-body injury and will miss a second game. Keefe assures there is no concern that this will be a lingering injury…. Marner (ankle) was a full participant in morning skate, taking Matthews’ place. Keefe said he does not anticipate him playing this week, though…. Keefe will be inducted into the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame as a player on May 7.

Maple Leafs projected lines Thursday vs. Washington Capitals

Bertuzzi – Matthews* – Domi

McMann – Tavares – Nylander

Knies – Holmberg – Robertson

Dewar – Kämpf – Reaves

McCabe – Liljegren

Brodie – Lyubushkin

Benoit – Timmins

Woll starts

Samsonov

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