Muzzin’s message as Leafs open 3-game set with Sens: Let’s get physical
Muzzin #Muzzin
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The Leafs play the Senators Monday night
Author of the article:
Terry Koshan
Publishing date:
Feb 15, 2021 • 8 hours ago • 3 minute read 
Maple Leafs defenceman Travis Dermott (23) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with teammates on Feb. 10 at the Bell Centre. Photo by Paul Chiasson /THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content
Jake Muzzin has no trouble lining up opponents and laying into them with crushing hits.
While his Maple Leafs teammates don’t play the game in the same intense physical manner that the veteran defenceman does, Muzzin knows there’s room for the Leafs to use their bodies more on any given night.
Picking up on that on Monday in the first of three home games in four nights against the Ottawa Senators would be a nice start.
“We have to do a better job actually being physical and getting on the body,” Muzzin said on Monday morning. “Sometimes we like just to shy away from it, but I think tonight we’re going to be in a battle. They’re a pretty physical team and we’re going to have to be a more physical team tonight as well.”
The Leafs have a record of 11-3-1 for a National Hockey League-best 23 points. The Senators sit at the bottom of the NHL with a record of 3-12-1, having scraped together seven points. One of their wins came against Toronto on Jan. 15 in Ottawa and that result was not far from the Leafs’ minds.
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“They’re going to make it hard on their opponent, and I know that they haven’t got the results and they haven’t got great luck with scoring and goaltending, but there’s no easy shifts,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “These guys play hard. They play together as a team, they block shots, they’re physical (Ottawa leads the NHL with 445 hits), they protect their net well. They don’t beat themselves.
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“We’re coming into this series knowing that we’re going to be in a battle that’s not going to be a whole lot different than what we faced against Montreal (in the past two games, a win and a loss).”
Keefe is with Muzzin on the physical philosophy. There has been a push from the coaching staff in that area, though there are limits.
“We talk openly about it, we show the examples where we can do that,” Keefe said. “It’s a fine line and we’ve got some guys that it’s not part of who they are. Yet, they are good at getting a stick on a puck and creating a separation that way.
“It’s not a matter of us just running through guys and finishing checks after the puck has gone. Keeping yourself alive and in the play to help give you the numerical advantage on the next play is important too.
“At the same time, we talk about when the puck is there and there’s an opportunity for us to establish an advantage, we’ve got to use our body physically. That has been the message from Day 1 of camp.
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“We’ve seen some growth in that area. We have some other guys throughout our lineup that it absolutely has to be part of who they are. We’re still looking for more consistency there.”
Joe Thornton’s return — and the deletion of Nic Petan — will account for the lone lineup change, Keefe said.
Thornton has been out since suffering a rib injury against Edmonton on Jan. 20. The Leafs went 8-1-1 in his absence.
“It’s immeasurable,” centre Alex Kerfoot said of having Thornton back in uniform. “His attitude coming to the rink every day, he is excited about being here with us. Just the life he brings to the group is going to be really fun.”
There was a Jack Campbell sighting on Monday morning, as the injured goalie took to the ice prior to the optional skate. Campbell has been out since suffering a lower-body injury against Calgary on Jan. 24. Keefe said Campbell is “certainly is more than a week out (from returning) at this at this stage.”
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The projected Leafs lineup:
Forwards
Joe Thornton-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
William Nylander-John Tavares-Zach Hyman
Pierre Engvall-Alex Kerfoot-Ilya Mikheyev
Jimmy Vesey-Travis Boyd-Jason Spezza
Defence
Morgan Rielly-TJ Brodie
Jake Muzzin-Justin Holl
Travis Dermott-Zach Bogosian
Goal
Frederik Andersen
Michael Hutchinson
tkoshan@postmedia.com
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