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Ilya Mikheyev and Zach Hyman will get more work as the power-play net front presence without Simmonds. And while Keefe hinted at lots of experimenting with second line left wing, where Simmonds had been elevated with William Nylander and John Tavares, the coach noted the 11 forwards alignment would give him other options, such as playing leading scorers Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner more.
“This gives us the opportunity to move things around in Simmonds’ absence and give people special opportunities. But we’re just expecting our team to adapt,” he said.
Keefe said Sandin would not likely get many shifts after newcomer Mikko Lehtonen had one of his strongest games Saturday on the third pairing with Zach Bogosian, but this was a chance for the youngster to finally get some action.
Prominent in Monday’s workouts was the participation of Joe Thornton (fractured rib), Nick Robertson (leg injury) and defenceman Travis Dermott (thigh), though Keefe said only Dermott could play later this week.
If the Canucks can’t find a away to stop Matthews and Marner, it won’t matter much what the Leafs do with the secondary lines. Matthews has goals in seven straight games, nine overall, while Marner is on a seven-game points streak.
Matthews’ jaw-dropping acceleration to score Saturday’s dramatic goal was still creating a dressing room buzz.
