TORONTO – Nick Robertson is aware of it’s a numbers recreation.
The Maple Leafs winger did his half to make the playoff math harder for his head coach Saturday.
Robertson scored Toronto’s first two targets in a 5-0 drubbing of the Columbus Blue Jackets after spending the final three video games watching from the press field as a wholesome scratch.
The 23-year-old took benefit of a turnover within the first interval to place his workforce up 1-0 earlier than ripping one other shot five-hole on Elvis Merzlikins within the second.
“Simply holding my recreation easy,” Robertson stated of his method. “Are available in with power and simply being motivated to contribute.”
The five-foot-nine, 178-pound ahead now has 4 targets and two assists this season in a recreation instantly following a scratch — an offensive development that tracks again to final season when he takes a seat.
“No person likes to take a seat out, proper?” Leafs bench boss Craig Berube stated. “You get again in there and also you’re slightly bit extra hungry. There’s little question about it.”
Robertson, who upped his season totals to 14 targets and 7 assists in 62 contests, stated popping out of the lineup supplies a reset.
“Provides you much more of that starvation to get again in and be efficient,” he stated. “It’s now my job to get better and put together and proceed the identical mindset.”
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Robertson received again within the lineup after David Kampf suffered an upper-body damage in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.
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With the Leafs having clinched a playoff spot and eyeing first place within the Atlantic Division following a fourth consecutive win, the Californian is seeking to make his case to be within the lineup for Sport 1 of the post-season.
“Simply physicality,” Robertson stated of what he must do when the puck isn’t on his stick. “I’m not the largest man, however I can get touches on guys and restrict rush performs by ending my checks.”
Berube, who’s in his first season with Toronto, has been largely pleased with Robertson’s play in 2024-25.
“Nick’s simply received to handle the puck greater than something,” stated the coach. “Being easy with it, getting pucks out, getting pucks in, after which when you may have the chance, he makes use of his velocity very effectively and capitalizes on some possibilities.
“Simply being defensive, accountable and managing the puck.”
Leafs winger William Nylander — he additionally scored twice Saturday to present him 44 on the season — stated Robertson is nearly automated after sitting.
“Each time he rests and will get again within the lineup, he scores,” the Swede stated with a smile.
Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who made 27 saves for his second shutout of the marketing campaign, marvelled at Robertson’s shot.
“It’s fast, it’s heavy,” he stated. “You noticed that five-hole transfer. I imply, I’ve seen that sufficient in apply this 12 months. He is aware of the place to shoot.”
Robertson is aiming to have that shot within the combine when the Leafs increase their post-season curtain in just a few weeks.
“You need to present that you could contribute,” he stated. “I need to get my recreation actually good going to playoffs.”
ON THE MARK
Toronto captain Auston Matthews scored to present him 9 straight 30-goal seasons, breaking a tie with Darryl Sittler for essentially the most in franchise historical past.
He’s additionally the seventh NHL participant all-time to start a profession with 9 consecutive 30-goal seasons, becoming a member of Alex Ovechkin (15), Mike Gartner (15), Wayne Gretzky (13), Jari Kurri (19), Mike Bossy (10) and Bryan Trottier (9).
Toronto winger Mitch Marner, in the meantime, turned the third participant in franchise historical past with a 70-assist season, becoming a member of Sittler and Doug Gilmour.
STOLARZ SHINES AGAIN
The free-agent signing has received 5 straight begins and seems to be pulling away from crease mate Joseph Woll to get the nod for Sport 1.
“I’ve been feeling good right here recently,” he stated. “The fellows did an awesome job of creating my job straightforward.”
PRAISING OVI
Columbus head coach Dean Evason was a Washington Capitals assistant for the primary seven seasons of Ovechkin’s profession. The 39-year-old Russian tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time aim mark of 894 on Friday and will set a brand new report Sunday.
“It’s fairly cool,” Evason stated. “I watched him conduct himself, not solely as a hockey participant, however an individual and a teammate. Your entire hockey world’s enthusiastic about what he’s doing, however to have an inside take a look at what he did was fairly particular.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 5, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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