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We saw that even more in the early goings of the season. And on Saturday, they proved once again that even if they don't leave with a W, even if things get much dicier than expected, they won't crumble.
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The club's seven wins by one goal this season are among the most in the league. It's the close games, the nail-biters, that seem different this time around.
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Piling up goals and outscoring the opposition is one thing. We won’t know whether that’s true until the post-season rolls around, but two months into the 2021-22 campaign, there is one bit of identity emerging. Of them learning from past ills and finding a new level this season. There’s been plenty of talk already of this Maple Leafs team being different. (It's a three-point night for Jason Spezza ) /gsd3PVJ6tY We just go out there and compete no matter who’s on the ice.” Obviously tonight, you know, a lot of mixing and matching, and that’s fine with me. “No matter who I’m playing with, I have confidence in every single guy out there. “He’s obviously not a guy that you can just replace, but we have a lot of belief in our group,” Matthews said post-game of Marner’s absence. Looking down the line to the games that will truly matter, when injuries and slumps and stiff defensive schemes will throw wrenches into the best of offensive plans, that flexibility is invaluable. 34 also hopped over the boards with Bunting and Spezza at times, or with Simmonds and Nick Ritchie, with Bunting and William Nylander, along with some all-star shifts with Nylander and John Tavares. With Marner not able to suit up in his usual top-line spot, it was Wayne Simmonds who got the first assignment with Matthews and Michael Bunting. That took shape Saturday in the ever-changing cast of wingers who appeared on Matthews' left and right, with Keefe throwing out different combos to match each situation. Beyond that, there’s a sense of consistency throughout the club’s offensive group that’s given Keefe some newfound versatility and flexibility. It was more than just Spezza stepping up on a night when his team needed him to, though. First, a one-timer wired home from the slot, and second, a laser of a pass whipped through traffic to an open Auston Matthews, who deflected it home. While the first of those was a gift from as fortuitous a bounce as Spezza’s had in his near-two-decade career, his latter two points came off exceptional plays on the man-advantage, with the veteran filling in for Marner on the top unit. 16’s absence, the veteran factoring in on all three of his team’s goals as the Leafs constructed their comeback bid late in the second period. When it all shook out, it was Jason Spezza who emerged as the one to step up in No. That was put to the test more directly than the Leafs would’ve liked on Saturday with winger Mitch Marner out of the lineup after colliding with teammate Jake Muzzin in practice Friday, a loss that prompted Keefe to throw his 5-on-5 lines and power-play units in the blender. The question that’ll define Toronto’s quest to become a bona fide contender is how everyone below them on the depth chart performs. The club’s top four up front rank as such in team scoring, and have each done what’s been expected of them so far this season. One glance at the Maple Leafs’ roster, and there’s no question who the big dogs are.