Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Time For Some Of The Leafs to Bring Their Game

04/23/2019 at 9:19am EDT

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

You don’t have to tell John Tavares he has one goal against the Boston Bruins — and that it was scored into an empty net.

He knows that.

He knows he led the Maple Leafs in scoring with the most goals he’s ever managed in his career. He knows this is why he came to Toronto, for moments and games such as these, to compete in a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against another great team. To be front-and-centre and significant.

He knows that the matchup with Patrice Bergeron is one Hall of Fame centre against the other, although Tavares is not so presumptuous to declare himself that.

And he knows, more than any of us can, that he needs to be better in Game 7 against the Bruins — the Leafs’ annual journey it seems — and he needs to be part of the growing history of this turning franchise.

You don’t have to tell Mitch Marner he has no even-strength assists against the Bruins. That number, by itself, seems almost inexplicable. He knows he’s the Leafs’ leading scorer and playmaker. He knows he’s the quarterback that can see what others cannot. He has that swagger, that inner confidence, the stuff you can’t teach.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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