McMann leads the controlled Maple Leafs to defeat the Blues

Content of the article

The undermanned Maple Leafs needed Bobby McMann and a lot of extra rowers on Tuesday night.

In a game that began without a captain and two first lieutenants on the bridge, Toronto rode the wave of McMann's first NHL hat trick to stun the red-hot St. Louis Blues 4-1.

Content of the article

Losing John Tavares, Mitch Marner and top point guard Morgan Rielly to the flu, their innate ability to step up when the stars are on the sidelines has emerged.

Content of the article

“A great end to a strange day,” coach Sheldon Keefe concluded.

McMann came to the rink not sure if he would play, but Tavares, who had been sore all night and hoped to push through, was scratched around 4 p.m. Steves was summoned from his home on short notice.

McMann, who has two NHL goals in 26 games since last season, has moved up to the third line alongside center David Kampf and WHL player Noah Gregor. It came off the corner and past Jordan Binnington, and a second failed Toronto power play kept the Blues in a one-goal game that made it 3-1 early in the third period. After an ironic cross-check by Rielly following a 6-on-5 goal in Ottawa, a perfect shot by Blues defenseman Torey Krug that left the net empty led to his five-game suspension.

“Pretty cool,” McMann said of his clincher. “Call the speed of that puck sliding across the net dramatic.

“I tried to be ready all day because you never know when you're going to get called on.”

The hats floating at Scotiabank Arena were a great sight for the free agent who fought his way up the ranks of the AHL Marlies.

Content of the article

Content of the article

“(Teamster Ryan) Reaves said, 'Enjoy it,' and the guys joked, 'That's (three a night) the standard for you now.'

Keefe previously said defenseman Conor Timmins was diagnosed with mononucleosis, but said it was not Tavares' or Marner's fault.

The changes meant some rarely-heard fragmented names from the starting lineup, Pa. Mike Ross read: Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi and Nick Robertson, all of whom played well.

But the big question is, “How will the Leafs fare defensively?” Rielly's regular partner, TJ Brodie, played a team-high 23:41, with Timothy Liljegren, Jake McCabe and Simon Benoit each playing more than 20 minutes. McCabe added another facial cut to his list of injuries.

“We kept it simple, good start, moved the puck, supported, outplayed the defense until then,” McCabe said. “Everybody knew that those (missing) guys lost a lot and it was important to rise to the occasion, to be involved. No one carries the load, but honestly, Bobby did tonight. You hear these kinds of conversations all the time in the NHL, guys taking the opportunity to talk.”

Content of the article

The three-game winning streak was crucial to stay within a point of third-place Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division.

William Nylander, picked up the alternate captaincy to fill the leadership void, added his 26th off the leg of Matthew Kessel. The standout Kessel, a former Phil Leaf, is on a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks, it was also announced Tuesday night.

If Bertuzzi didn't get lucky, if Binnington didn't take a shot to the chest, if Gregor got a short-handed stop, the Leafs could have gone up a few more times in the evening. Alexiy Toropchenko's bite on the Leafs goal cost Toronto dearly.

Auston joins Matthews and Nylander on the special power play along with Bertuzzi and Domi McCabe.

Toronto goaltender Ilya Samsonov faced 15 shots but had to make several saves to secure his 10th win. St. Louis was trying to extend its streak to eight in the past nine games, but as Keefe noticed, the Blues weren't in top form.

Roster changes during the day necessitated the transfer of forward Kalle Jarnkrok to injured reserve with a sprained ankle, which kept him out late.

Content of the article

Content of the article

Content of the article

Content of the article