Leafs trying to keep their game face on against struggling Canadiens

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A lot has passed in the month since the Montreal Canadiens spoiled the Maple Leafs’ season opener at the Bell Centre. 

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From that 1-0 win when they leaned on Samuel Montembeault, the Habs have won just three games and sit last in an Atlantic Division where many thought they’d improve. The Leafs triumphed in four of their next five and have not lost more than two in a row in regulation.  

Saturday, they host the Habs at Scotiabank Arena with the chance to put 10 points between them. Canadiens’ coach Martin St. Louis, who lost winger Patrik Laine at the start of the year, has a team that not only struggled to score (2.71 per game), but to keep the puck out. They can’t rely on 40-plus saves from their goaltender every night. 

“It all starts with effort.” St. Louis said Saturday morning. “We’re a team that just can’t be not desperate every night. We have to be more consistent in that department and I expect that tonight.” 

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Saturday in Toronto in the 770th meeting of the teams since 1917 should help fire up the Habs. It’s expected their former captain, Shea Weber, will be in the house as part of his Hockey Hall of Fame induction on Monday. 

“This is a big one, Toronto-Montreal, guys should have no problem getting up for it,” said defenceman Kaiden Guhle. “This might be my first time playing them on a Saturday, an Original Six game. Growing up for me (in Alberta) it was always Edmonton–Calgary, but the other one everyone knew about was Toronto–Montreal. It would be pretty cool to get a win when (Weber) is in town.” 

Down the hall, Laval, Que., native Simon Benoit was pleased he’s made inroads getting his friends to change allegiances since he made Toronto’s lineup last season and earned a full-time NHL job. 

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“I think the blue is growing in Montreal,” he said with a smile. “I have a lot more family growing into fans for Toronto, so we love that.” 

But the defenceman insisted the Leafs aren’t letting their guard down Saturday, facing their second game in as many nights while the Habs rested. 

“We aren’t looking at (Montreal’s record), we know they’ll come out strong and they have some skilled guys. Everyone is good in the NHL.” 

The Leafs seek their third win without Auston Matthews in the lineup, but it’s low-event defensive hockey that has paid off the past two games, allowing just two regulation goals the past three starts. 

 “We’ve shown a lot of composure, we’re all on the same page and it’s showing,” Benoit said.  

Joseph Woll is expected to start in goal as Anthony Stolarz gets a rest. The Leafs did not have a full skate Saturday morning. 

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