Maple Leafs Notebook: Berube’s advice to Max Domi, Nick Robertson
The Maple Leafs are hoping Max Domi can provide some secondary scoring upon his return from injury. Domi could play his first game in three-plus weeks Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.
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NEWARK, N.J. — Max Domi hasn’t played a hockey game in 24 days. He’s been out nearly four weeks.
“Three weeks,” corrects Domi, who has no interest in rounding up. “Trust me. I’ve been counting every day.
“It’s not easy. And when the team is doing well, it’s much easier than when they lose. Luckily, they’ve been playing very well lately. Last two games have been tough to watch, but that’s just how it goes. You gotta be part of the team. You gotta support the fellas any way you can, and just try and get healthy.”
Count Domi among the growing list of Maple Leafs who, following the captain’s approach, are keeping tight-lipped about all things health-related as he readies to return from a lower-body injury that cost him eight games.
The winger-centre won’t say what caused him to quit pushing through the undisclosed ailment and step aside.
“I take a lot of pride in being available for the team to try and help the team win. And sometimes that entails playing through things here and there, and then it gets to a point where you got to let it heal,” Domi says. “In my case, we decided the rest would benefit not just myself but the group as well.”
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Domi is “feeling good” now and is a strong possibility to suit up in Newark on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.
After landing a juicy four-year, $15-million contract extension on the brink of free agency, Domi has underwhelmed on the scoresheet.
Surely, poor health played some role in his stat line (zero goals, six assists, 21 penalty minutes).
And surely, Domi is pressuring himself to snap his 13-game point and 24-game goal droughts?
“I would not say that at all,” Domi fires back.
“You know what? I think we’d all agree that if the team wins, that’s all that matters. I could care less if you have 90 goals or zero goals. If you’re on the ice and helping the team win, you’re doing your job and you’re helping out. So, there’s always other ways you can help out. But, certainly, you want to play your best hockey and keep getting better on a daily basis. So, I just focus on that.”
As a whole, though, the Maple Leafs are focused on generating more offence from the pool of players making less than $10 million. And Domi does fall into that category.
“For sure, the score sheet, the goals — it’s important,” coach Craig Berube says.
“Max has got to maybe take a little bit different approach and not be such a selfless player and shoot more. Just getting to the net and greasy areas a little bit more. He’s that type of player that he could score goals there. He’s a strong guy and heavy guy. So, I think for him — a lot like Nick Robertson — they got to get on the inside more and get around that net and score some greasy goals.
“And we need them to. We need those guys. We need secondary scoring.”
Robertson ‘happy’ despite scratch
Speaking of secondary scoring, sniper Robertson is stuck on two goals — and got stuck way up in the press box for Saturday’s loss at PPG Paints Arena.
Berube had a chat with the benched winger, whose execution hasn’t matched his work ethic.
“He’s just got to play better. That’s it,” Berube explained. “It’s his job to find a way to play better hockey. He’s capable of it. He’s got ability, speed. He’s got a good shot. And we’ve got to find a way to get him going.”
After Monday’s practice, during which he alternated third-line shifts with Alex Nylander, Robertson lamented pucks he didn’t bury in the Utah game. His bum luck. His poor execution. He also spoke positively of the possibility of getting on a roll once a few shots find the net.
Yet it’s becoming increasingly apparent that if Robertson is to start scoring, he’ll have to do it down the lineup.
“I got to make the most of 10 minutes, 12, 13, 14, whatever it is to stay in the lineup and, again, to score goals and execute,” Robertson said.
“I’m good mentally. I mean, I got to stay calm for my game. I can’t let this kind of affect my performance. Obviously, (the healthy scratch) is a business decision. And I respect Chief (Berube), respect the decisions made. Obviously, this is tough. I mean, it’s frustrating how the season’s gone so far, so it’s my job to get back to how I was before.”
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To that end, Robertson believes he has matured when it comes to dealing with dry spells. Even if he’s frowning on the inside, he arrives to work with a smile on his face.
And to his credit, no matter how rough things go, the kid never ducks reporters.
“I’m happy to be at the rink every day with the guys,” Robertson says. “I’m more positive than before. And each game, I try to just go in with the mindset of doing the little details right.”
Matthews still working toward 100 per cent
Were you to simply look at his stat line — three goals, seven points, 20-plus minutes nightly in five games — you’d believe Auston Matthews returned from his mystery upper-body injury good as new.
The eye test, however, reveals that the captain’s health and conditioning are still a work in progress.
Number 34 has yet to go full beast mode. Jamming five games into nine days has proven a challenge.
The defensive responsibility is intact and there are flashes of offensive brilliance, but he’s also had some quiet shifts, moments of avoiding hard contact, and he has already taken three minor penalties since his return. That’s uncharacteristic.
“I’m getting there. I mean, it’s tough. You know, you jump back right into the games after being out, I think it takes a little bit of time,” Matthews explains.
“The first couple games, you’re kind of running on adrenalin just because you’ve been out, and you’re so excited to be back. And then obviously the wear and tear and the grind of playing a lot comes back. So, it takes a little bit of time to really get your full conditioning and everything back. But like I said, every day, every game, feeling better.”
One-Timers: The Leafs put the Penguins on the power play five times in Saturday’s loss. That’s a recipe for disaster against the Devils, who own the NHL’s top power play (32.6 per cent). “It’s tough offensively when you’re constantly killing,” Matthews says . Jake McCabe (head) joined the club in Newark for practice and is getting closer to a return . Bobby McMann remained in Toronto to rehab his lower-body injury . The Devils should arrive to the rink angry after getting shut out at home Sunday by the Avalanche and thumped by these Maple Leafs in their home opener . Mitch Marner has points in 17 of his last 19 games.
