It has been a long time between division titles for Maple Leafs
Leafs #Leafs
Breadcrumb Trail Links
Author of the article:
Lance Hornby 
Maple Leafs forwards Wayne Simmonds (left) and Mitch Marner celebrate after defeating the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena and clinching their first division title since 2000. Photo by Dan Hamilton /USA TODAY Sports Article content
Some comets buzz the Earth with more frequency than the Maple Leafs finish first in their division.
So the Leafs and their peeps should take a little time to celebrate only the fourth time they’ve led the lodge in 83 years — and just the second since NHL expansion. Riffing a bit on the Raptors’ ‘We The North’ they dominated the other six Canadian teams in this year’s COVID-19 induced grouping.
That’s no guarantee they’ll be the last team standing above the 49th Parallel next month after two playoff rounds. But a winning record against every team — another 83-year first — certainly silences those who predicted they’d struggle to make the top four, based on another first-round exit in July and the improvements other clubs had made.
When the Leafs last led the Northeast Division in 1999-00, they lasted two playoff rounds. Before that it was 1963 and the second of two Stanley Cups. They were a constant presence on top in the 1930s.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Now the real work begins,” William Nylander said after the win.
FULL GAME FOR FRED
Will the playoff ship sail with Frederik Andersen below deck?
With his conditioning stint as a Toronto Marlie coming to crunch time, it’s important he have a ‘statement’ game, even if it’s the minors. A building block before his chance up top with the Leafs to prove he’s ready if called upon behind Jack Campbell in two weeks, but also as the go-to goalie should the unexpected occur.
After two goals against in a half-game Thursday following weeks with knee-related problems, Saturday afternoon’s first full contest for the Dane had mixed results. The first of 39 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Manitoba Moose beat him.
He then allowed a couple from long range, was vexed by screens, surrendered the tying goal in the third period, shone at the end and in overtime, but gave up two in the tie-breaker.
“Today, I was trying to push it a little bit, push the intensity,” Andersen said. “That mindset got better and better as the game went on, playing hard on every puck, just trusting I have the energy to play a full game, that everything I’ve done this far is going to help me.
“I was fighting it a little for 20, 25 minutes and got better. That’s the reason to play these games, trying to get (managing a game) back up to speed. The details will come, swallowing up pucks and stuff like that.”
Andersen now awaits word on the next move from the Leafs. He has conditioning time to go, but the Leafs have only two games remaining. Presumably one is for Campbell, the other for either Andersen, if the salary cap will permit, or David Rittich who backs up Campbell if Andersen isn’t deemed ready.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Everyone knows the playoffs are around the corner,” Andersen said. “If I can get something extra then great, but we’ll see what happens.”
NO SHOT BLOCKS HERE
As part of Saturday’s joint NHL-NHLPA announcement that COVID-19 protocols have been modified, the Leafs will be receiving their first vaccination shots on Sunday. Teams in the U.S., where the vaccine rollout is further advanced, have been granted more leeway to get out of their restricted environments for dinners.
“We’re happy, we’ve done the waiting process, made sure people in Toronto could get it,” said Mitch Marner. “Now there’s enough doses that we’re lucky enough our team can get it.
Defenceman Justin Holl was also grateful.
“It’s been a year that people in general and our team specifically were walking on egg shells, making sure we didn’t get anyone sick. This is an added benefit.”
COLLEGE CALLS KEEFE
At age 40, Sheldon Keefe is getting his degree.
Algonquin College is recognizing the life the Leafs coach built for himself and others in Pembroke, Ont., and the Ottawa Valley, bestowing an honorary degree in recognition of his on-ice and community accomplishments. It was announced Saturday, the 10th anniversary of Keefe leading the Pembroke Lumber Kings to the franchise’s only national Jr. A championship, as owner, general manager and coach.
While in the city where he married wife Jackie and had two boys, Keefe maintained strong bonds with the school, helping fund-raise for a new campus and a student bursary.
Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“While inspiring his players to great success, Sheldon has also instilled in them the value of education and the lifetime of opportunities that it can provide,” the school said in its release.
Keefe’s degree will be part of the college’s commencement ceremony June 23.
“It was an incredible honour when they called to let me know,” Keefe said. “I wouldn’t be here today without the support of that area and Algonquin is a pillar in that community.”
Keefe says the journey of learning goes on for him as a coach.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
“It’s really just the mindset that you don’t have all the answers. And that’s okay. I think that’s an endearing quality in people I admire, they’re working hard to find the answers or relying upon others and their expertise.”
As to whether he intends to still be busy in playoffs on June 23rd, Keefe said as it’s a virtual ceremony, he’ll pre-record a speech.
LOOSE LEAFS
The Canadiens are counting on a healthier roster for which ever foe they meet in the first round. Phillip Danault, their fine two-way centre is now diagnosed with a concussion, adding to day-to-day status of Shea Weber (upper body) and Paul Byron (lower body). Brendan Gallagher (thumb) has resumed on-ice training, as has goalie Carey Price (who suffered a concussion April 19), but has no time line for a return … TJ Brodie and Jake Muzzin have locked horns with Habs veteran Corey Perry for years in the Western Conference and now the stage is in the East. “You know what type of player he is,” former Flame Brodie said. “He’ll go to the dirty areas and he’s not afraid to try and draw a penalty. You have to be aware of that and try not to get sucked in” … Auston Matthews is auctioning those designer CCM skates and stick with the Hospital For Sick Children logo that he used against Ottawa on April 10, when he had the hat trick in a 6-5 win. Proceeds support SickKids and Cystic Fibrosis initiatives. Bid at www.austonsskates4sickkids.com … Sunday being Mother’s Day, Brodie was not forgetting his own. “She’s definitely been a big influence. Growing up, both parents, the sacrifices they had to make to (travel), to get you enrolled in hockey, to get you the gear, it’s something I wouldn’t have been able to do without them.”
lhornby@postmedia.com
Share this article in your social network Advertisement
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The Toronto Sun Headline News
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up!
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.