It’s not like 3-on-3 had been the Toronto Maple Leafs’ forte this season. They were already 0-4 in overtime entering Monday’s home game against the New York Islanders. But they were particularly directionless this time out, missing a key rower to guide the boat. Morgan Rielly’s absence to start the extra frame was glaring.
“It’s tough. We’re already missing guys, and Morgan is so important to our team and to our back end in particular,” Keefe said. “We lose Muzzin, made a big deal of it, it wasn’t a bid deal. We lose Brodie, made a big deal of it, it wasn’t a big deal. We just have to keep playing. That’s the way it goes.”Rielly, 28, is the team’s most important defenseman and it isn’t particularly close. He averaged 23:30 per game going into Monday’s contest, almost two minutes more than the closest Leaf D-man.
“I think we’ve got a do a good job by committee,” Giordano said. “The leadership side of it, you always have to bring that as an older guy, but the young guys can lead as well and step up and fill those minutes and play well, and I thought our guys did a good job tonight. We have the guys back there who are waiting for opportunities, myself included. You always want more ice time, and when you get it, you’ve got to make it count.”The Leafs are stretched as thin as cellophane now.
MLarkinHockey I think Leafs were 1-5 in OT before last night (Robertson goal vs Dallas being the 1)
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