“The Core Four” has become probably the most used term when discussing the Maple Leafs over the past few seasons to the point that it’s gotten annoying. But games like Thursday’s make me wonder whether we should be expanding that term to something else.
The Super Six, maybe?
Silly as that term might be, the strong perfomances of Morgan Rielly and Jack Campbell deserve to be highlighted as they were the ones who propelled the Leafs to their 2-1 win over the New York Rangers.
Though it’s been the Leafs’ star forwards who largely helped bring the Leafs out of their early-season slumber and have kept them hot through one of the best stretches from any NHL team this season, some of the team’s other players had performances that delivered the Leafs their 10th win in their last 11 games.
As a whole, the Leafs’ performance wasn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing. But if the Leafs’ forwards and defenceman can play tight-checking hockey, work as a cohesive unit, limit the number of Rangers chances with some suffocating play in the neutral zone and get contributions from players besides their offensive stars, I don’t know how many members of the team’s coaching staff and management will complain.
“We’ve had a few lately,” Rielly said of the tight-checking nature of the game, “so it’s a good sign that we’re winning them.”
First star
Morgan Rielly
Even before he scored his second goal of the night, I was ready to pump Rielly’s tires for his play.
