Maple Leaves (optional) and Montreal Canadians I skated at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday.

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The Canadiens look to capture a five-game series (0-4-1) by renewing their rivalry with the Leafs on Saturday night in Toronto.

“They’re going to be a desperate team tonight and we’ve got to go with it,” Leafs coach Craig Berube emphasized. “We must overcome this despair.”

Canadiens coach Martin St. “Everything starts with effort,” Louis said. “We’re a team that shouldn’t be helpless every night, you know, and I feel like we’re getting more consistent in that area. I expect that tonight.”

The Canadiens are in last place in the Atlantic Division, but the players struck an optimistic tone after the morning’s practice.

“There’s no better time than Saturday night to end the series on this field and against this team,” the Canadian defenseman said. Arber Xhekaj. “This is a big thing for us.”

The Leafs moved into second place in the league thanks to a 2-0-1 run, including two wins without a captain. Auston Matthews.

“We showed a lot of composure,” Leafs defenseman said Simon Benoit. “We’re all on the same page, and that’s how it turned out. So we’re pretty happy with the outcome. Still, we have to keep going.”

Montreal beat Toronto 1-0 on opening night with 48 saves. Sam MontembeaultWhich will start again on Saturday.

“Saturday night in Toronto has probably the second-best atmosphere after Montreal,” the Canadian winger said. Cole Caufield with a smile. “It’s a pretty big deal for us… You can’t get up for this, you can’t get up for anything.”

The Leafs have won eight straight home games against the Canadiens. In fact, the Habs haven’t celebrated a win at Scotiabank Arena since Game 7 of their 2021 playoff series. Shea Weber He was the captain of the team. He is being honored this weekend as part of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

ContentId(1.2202419): Habs’ Xhekaj on trip to Toronto: ‘There’s no better time than Saturday to end the winning streak on this court’

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Matthews hit the ice for about 25 minutes Saturday morning. The star center is skating for the first time since Sunday’s game against Minnesota.

“It’s heading in the right direction,” Berube said. “It was great news on the ice today. He’s feeling better.”

Matthews, who is dealing with a nagging upper-body issue, is eligible to go on injured reserve for Tuesday’s game. Ottawa Senators.

“We know Auston is a big part of our team,” Benoit said. “We have to stick together because he’s not there. We can’t let it affect our game. Some players need to step up in certain scenarios and situations and I think we’ve done a good job so far.”

ContentId(1.2202415): ‘Great news’: Matthews back on ice as Leafs continue to win without him

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The Leafs haven’t scored at 5-on-5 in the last three games.

“The last couple of games, I think, have been low-incident games on both counts,” Berube said. “I think we can do a better job of holding on to pucks in the offensive zone a little bit better, using low-to-high (plays) a little more and opening and closing our D (quickly) to create a little more chaos around the net and stuff like that. Then in the offensive zone “We can try to create some more movement.”

Toronto appeared to have tied the game early in the first period in Friday’s win. Detroit Red Wingshowever, Nick Robertson’s goal was cleared due to goalkeeper interference. Bobby McMann.

“I was trying to get out of the goalie’s way,” McMann said. “I tried to send it back to Robbie but I made some contact and I think they reviewed it and that’s how it goes.”

That’s the way things have been going for McMann and Robertson lately. McMann has just one assist in the last 11 games. Robertson has only one goal in 13 games this season, which brought Columbus a big defeat.

“We’ve both been together long enough that we realize there’s a lot of talent between us,” McMann said. “It comes and it comes in waves. Sometimes it’s not about what hits the goal, it’s about the chances you get. I think that’s what we focus on and try to pick each other up. ‘We create chances, we make good plays and we’re good defensively too because I think that comes first.’

Robertson drew the penalty that led to the Leafs’ goal on Friday. He received the team’s player of the game belt after his 100th NHL game.

Berube liked what he saw from McMann, Robertson and Robertson’s line. Pontus Holmberg.

“They were perfect,” the coach said. “They came into the offensive zone a lot, skated well, competed for pucks and tried to get the ball to the goal. They did a good job.”

ContentId(1.2202433): Leafs Ice Chips: Looking for better looks in low event games

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Mitch Marner has been picking up the offensive slack in Matthews’ absence. The winger has recorded a pair of multi-point games this week, including a goal and an assist on Friday.

“I like the way he sees the ice and the way he moves his feet,” the center said John Tavares. “The ability to work at the cutting edge… It’s so deceiving.”

Marner showed flashy footwork on Toronto’s first goal, making a nice move to get clean into the offensive zone and then crashing into the net for the rebound goal.

“He’s really starting to get into that tempo and rhythm that has made him one of the best players in the game,” Tavares said.

Marner got a pre-game boost when he was selected to participate in the ceremonial game for this year’s Hockey Hall of Fame Class.

“It’s something I’ll cherish for a long time,” Marner said. “It’s a really great opportunity for myself.”

Among those hired Monday is former Red Wings great Pavel Datsyuk.

“This is a guy that I try to idolize a lot,” Marner told TSN in an interview at one point. “He’s a guy that created a lot of magic out there and in this league and he made everything look easy with how good he was not only offensively but defensively and how he really took both sides of the puck seriously. I said that. It was a big deal for me to shake his hand and drop the puck with him.” “It was an honor. I should try to persuade him with a hockey stick or something.”

When Matthews was eliminated from Friday’s game, Marner received an anonymous text message saying he would make the ceremonial puck throw. Berube isn’t sure why Marner was chosen, but said it was probably due to his admiration for Datsyuk.

Berube also praised Marner for providing “excellent” leadership to his team.

“He goes out and leads by example with his play,” Berube said. “He’s a leader who plays both ends of the ice. He does a lot of good things defensively. He does things defensively as well as offense. He gets points because he does things the opposite way.”

Marner snapped a seven-game hitting streak heading into Saturday’s game.

ContentId(1.2202404): Marner on ceremony draw with Datsyuk: ‘Something I will cherish for a long time’

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The official scorekeeper had a hard time seeing whether Marner or Tavares made the final touch on the puck on Toronto’s opening goal. It was initially given to Marner before being passed on to Tavares.

“Mitchy did a good job of jumping on it,” Tavares said. “And I tried to give up, to be honest, when I realized Mitchy was there too. But he got the job done.”

Tavares told the scorer that it was Marner’s goal as he took the penalty in the penalty area.

Tavares eventually got his own power play goal late in the game. He made a strong start to his first season since handing over the captaincy to Matthews, scoring 13 points in 14 games.

“I enjoyed playing with him and this year maybe more than ever in the last few months because of his approach and coming here and just doing his job,” the defender said. Morgan Rielly. “I think that’s very admirable.”

“I love playing with these guys and I love playing here,” Tavares said. “This is special. So go out and enjoy it, have some fun and give it your all. I try not to approach it any differently than other years, but you’re always aware of things.” Evolve or be a little bit different, adapt and continue to trust in what I do and give the team my best.”

Tavares, a father of three, is also dealing with the uncertainty of playing in the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old hopes to extend his contract and stay with his hometown team.

“He’s been playing really well for us,” Berube said. “He’s very good in tight spaces with the puck. He’s very good at that. He’s strong with the puck and he’s doing all the little things right and it’s paying off right now.”

ContentId(1.2202406): ‘Undecided’ Tavares adapts and improves as post-captainship begins

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After the blocker was knocked out during the fight in front of the Leafs’ net in the third period. Anthony Stolarz He reached out to catch the loose disc with his bare hand.

“I saw the puck sitting there, I took my chance and just like a cobra, I shot it and came out of there,” the 30-year-old goalkeeper said with a smile. “That was definitely not the plan.”

The desperation move helped the Leafs maintain a one-goal lead.

“There was a bit of a pile of dogs there,” Marner said. “It was nice to see him come out with the puck in his hand and still five fingers.”

“That’s what it takes, right?” Stolarz said. he said.

Stolarz improved to 6-2-2 on the season with a .930 save percentage.

“It was outstanding again,” Tavares said.

“It’s kind of unorthodox,” Stolarz said. “I just kind of let the game come to me and try not to make too much of a mess.”

Stolarz will enjoy a well-deserved night off on Saturday Joseph Woll gets the start.

ContentId(1.2202405): ‘This is what it takes’: Leafs excited after Stolarz makes bare-handed save

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Xhekaj drops gloves with Leafs winger Ryan Reaves During a game in Toronto on October 14, 2023. The two have not fought since. Reaves has previously said he would welcome a rematch.

Does Xhekaj feel the same way?

“I’m just playing and if the game needs it, it needs it and if it happens, it happens,” Xhekaj said. “I’m not actually setting this up like a UFC event. Yeah, that’s how I look at it.”

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Senior winger Calle Jarnkrok He has slipped several times this week as he tries to recover from a lower-body injury.

“It’s a tough situation,” Berube said. “I can’t give you a timeline on it right now, but it’s probably still a long way off.”

Jarnkrok has not played since entering the preseason game on October 3.

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The Leafs’ projected lineup for Saturday’s game is:

Knies – Domi – Marner
Pacioretty – Tavares – Nylander
McMann-Holmberg-Robertson
Lorentz – Kampf – Reaves

Rielly-Ekman-Larsson
McCabe – Tanev
Benoit-Timmins

Woll begins

The Canadiens’ projected lineup for Saturday’s game is:

Caufield – Suzuki – Dach
Newhook – Evans – Slafkovski
Anderson – Dvorak – Gallagher
Heineman – Condotta – Armia

Matheson-Guhle
Hutson – Savard
Xhekaj – Struble

Montembeault starts