The Toronto Maple Leafs took a 2-1 series lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. Despite Tampa controlling the pace of play for large amounts of the game, Toronto found a way to grit out a win and arguably “steal” one in Tampa. The winner was scored by none other than Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly. However, it has not been all roses this season for Rielly. Despite a tough season, we are finally seeing the true Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly.
Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly
Contract and Future
Rielly is in year one of an eight-year deal that pays him $7.5 million per season. At the time, not too many people questioned the deal. After all, Rielly is the longest-tenured Leaf at this point and was widely considered the heartbeat of this team. However, there were a few concerns about paying a player such as Rielly that much money. Age will always be a factor. Paying anyone into their 30’s is risky. However, the Leafs are only focused on the present.
The real issue came ina arguing how much Rielly brings on the ice these days. There is no shying away from the fact that his defensive abilities are lacking, to say the least. However, Rielly’s puck-handling and skating abilities made him one of the most dynamic defenceman for the better part of a decade. The big question was, can that continue? Or, is it replaceable at a lower cost?
For example, Rasmus Sandin seemed primed to take some of Rielly’s minutes away, playing well enough of on the power play. However, Toronto felt that they needed a change, and Sandin was shipped off to the Washington Capitals, where he has flourished early. Now, there was no debating it, Rielly is the Maple Leaf’s number one option for offence from the blueline.
Regular Season
What really made the Sandin trade interesting was Rielly’s overall play this season. To put it frankly, he was bad. Many thought Rielly was playing through an injury, which he did miss some time for as well. When he came back, he still didn’t look right. There were way too many defensive zone turnovers, no creativity offensively, and at times, he looked hesitant to jump up on the rush.
He had 41 points in 65 games which doesn’t sound horrible, but given the increased scoring this season and his past point totals, it was a disappointing season. Rielly was still obviously an NHL calibre blueliner, but Toronto needed him to be an X-Factor. He struggled so much so that he was even healthy scratched in a game against the Florida Panthers. When he was paired with Luke Schenn in what looked like a defacto 3rd pair 5v5 unit, some wondered what impact Rielly would have on this series at all?
Playoffs
Fast-forward to Sunday morning, Toronto has a 2-1 series lead, and you can argue that Morgan Rielly is the key reason why. These playoffs have started off with a bang for Rielly. After a disastrous Game 1 for all players on Toronto, the whole team needed a bounce back. Game 2 saw the rolls flipped as Toronto won 7-2, led by none other than Rielly.
Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly tied a franchise record with four assists in one playoff game. He arguably could have had a fifth too if it wasn’t for a huge save from Andrei Vasilevskiy. But that game was much more than just the points, Rielly looked like himself again.
The reason Rielly had four assists was that he was moving his feet to effectively cause issues for Tampa. The confidence he had while moving the puck up the ice was unmatched. Tampa couldn’t stop him in either of Game 2 or 3 as he acted as an extra attacker, which is when he is at his best. He used his vision effectively for four assists, and then the game-winner in Game 3 overtime.
Defensive End
What maybe has been most impressive this series though is Rielly’s confidence in his own end. There will always be mistakes with Rielly, but through Games 2 and 3 he has looked way more comfortable. Especially because he has been the main option to break the puck out on his pair. Fans do enjoy Schenn’s toughness, but his skill with the puck is lacking.
Enter, Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly. In Game 3 he not only recovered for Schenn on multiple occasions but also assisted in moving the puck out after a mistake. Rielly has shown a willingness to block shooting lanes as well which is needed in playoff hockey. Overall, Rielly is looking more and more like that number one the Leafs are paying him to be.
Going Forward
Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly becomes a huge X-Factor for this series now. If he can stay at this pace, using his skating and vision to cause a weakened Lightning blueline to stay on its toes at all times, that will cause trouble. The Leafs need to lean into this and get Rielly out for as many offensive zone opportunities as possible.
What is even better? Rielly is showing with this play that he deserves more icetime. Even if the puck isn’t in the opposition’s end all the time, Rielly has looked comfortable handling the puck wherever he plays it. That is a crucial skill to have and one the Leafs can lean on as they look to finally slay their playoff demons.
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