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The solo Joe Show is not yet a go for playoffs.
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While Joseph Woll is considered the current favourite to start the playoffs for Toronto, based on his strong play before Saturday night’s game in Nashville, coach Craig Berube didn’t sound like he’d tailor the remaining 12 regular-season games to favour Woll ahead of Anthony Stolarz.
Which is a wise move, despite all the recent enthusiasm in Leafs Nation for Woll to get the ball. A lot that can happen between now and April 17, Game 82 on the schedule against the Detroit Red Wings.
“I love the rotation,” Berube declared Saturday morning to reporters in Nashville. “I know I played two guys in a row a little bit (Stolarz lost his recent pair, Woll won his, Stolarz got back on the horse Thursday in New York).
“I don’t want to get away from the rotation — yet.”
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Stolarz’s 27 saves against the Rangers in a 4-3 decision, presumably some of his family and friends came to watch from his New Jersey neighbourhood, takes some pressure off for his next start, presumably Tuesday in Toronto against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Berube didn’t want Woll getting cold after one of his best performances of the year, Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Colorado.
Yet what if, for example, Woll and Stolarz split the remaining two contests against the potential playoff foe Florida Panthers and Stolarz does better? The second of those games begins a back-to-back with the other possible first-round date, the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning, April 8-9. The starters those nights will be closely monitored.
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MORE TO COME FROM CARLO
While the focus has been on centre-winger Scott Laughton’s slow adjustment to his new role on the Leafs, Berube is keeping watch on big defenceman Brandon Carlo.
“There are things he wants to do better that he can do better,” the coach noted. “He’s been a good defender for us, done a good job penalty killing and has to keep building his game. He’s right there, what we expected.
“There is some puck movement he could see better or make the play quicker, things like that. That’ll come. It’s not like he’s the kind of guy who will make all these fancy plays. It’s just directness, getting used to how we want to move it and get going.”
Carlo has been partnered with Morgan Rielly, who has been trying to straighten out some of his own defensive issues all season, the idea being Carlo can cover more effectively when Rielly jumps into the play.
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“I feel our communication and our chemistry is growing,” Carlo said. “He’s good at moving the puck and I like pumping it over to him to make the breakout play. Overall, I like the connection, I’ve played with guys similar to him in Torey Krug.
“I definitely want to encourage him to get up in the play and let him know I’ll be behind him. We can definitely play to our strengths and make a really good pairing.”
The career Boston Bruin said the “shock” of the March 7 trade eventually wore off and he’s finding a comfort zone in Toronto.
“You realize you’re living most kids’ dream to play for the Leafs. I’m enjoying it from that perspective. Nothing’s caught me too off guard.
“I love the way things are handled around here. Systems aren’t that different from Boston. I’ve never played man-on-man really, so I’m glad we don’t do that here, really. Communications have been great. Mike van Ryn (assistant coach for defence) has been awesome and Lane Lambert (who runs the penalty killing unit).”
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MARLIES RING THE BELL
Winger Alex Steeves recorded his 34th goal of the season to start the Marlies on a 4-2 win over the Belleville Senators on Saturday at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Alex Nylander reached 20 goals as well, while veteran newcomer Brandon Baddock added a goal, assisted by Reese Johnson, who was obtained from the Minnesota Wild right at the trade deadline. Jacob Quillan, who is getting more ice time after centre Fraser Minten’s trade to Boston, had an empty net goal to make it eight points in his past nine games.
Matt Murray started the game in net, but Dennis Hildeby stopped 18 of 19 shots in the last two periods.
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LOOSE LEAFS
When a female singer began O Canada on Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena, a smattering of boos rose up from home fans, tit for tat with so much being made of fans in Canadian cities expressing feelings during The Star Spangled Banner. The many Toronto fans in attendance in Nashville sang louder to drown it out … Carlo is still living in a hotel, but hopes to finalize a townhouse this coming week. During the recent four-game home stand, his wife and young daughter were able to join him, while his son awaits a passport. “No complaints. My daughter loves the pool and the room service, so we’re okay there,” he said … Asked what’s in the silver briefcase he’s been spotted with during road trips, defenceman Simon Benoit says it’s a java machine. “Sometimes it’s hard to find good coffee on the road” … Sunday marks 107 years since Toronto Arenas’ Alf Skinner had the first hat trick by an NHLer in a Stanley Cup final. Though Toronto lost that game 6-4 to the Vancouver Millionaires, it eventually won the series.
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
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