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Analysts discuss Marner's retaliatory slash and how the team has responded since Liljegren's injury

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Ryan Smitheram
November 20, 2023 (8:55)

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Yesterday, we saw the Leafs hold on for a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory agains the Minnesota Wild to wrap up their time in Sweden for the NHL's Global Series. During the second period of the game, Mitch Marner and Wild forward Joel Eriksson Ek were going at it in front of the Wild net before Eriksson Ek forced Marner to the ice and essentially sat on him. Marner got up and delivered a good whack to the back of Eriksson Ek's knee. Marner was given a minor for slashing on the play, but the Leafs were able to kill it off.

Following the game on Sportsnet The Fan590's "Leafs Talk" JD Bunkis and Sam McKee discussed the retaliatory slash from Marner.

"God I love that," said McKee

McKee then went on a tangent about how the Leafs have responded to the team meeting they had following the lack of response to Brad Marchand injuring Timothy Liljegren.

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"I think since they had the meeting after Marchand, they've been way better and way greasier. I truly think they have actually made an effort to play more like this and I know it's resulted in a few more penalties... but I don't care. This stuff matters, and it brings guys together. Even in front of the net, they're way more gritty. They're just punching guys, they're always in their face. as soon as anyone's near the goalie, they're grabbing on, they're doing way more than they have in years past. We hated the Marchand thing, but it has kind of changed them I feel. I really do think that they have made a different effort since that happened to do it. I loved it. I love the greasiness."

Liljegren has been out of the Leafs lineup since his injury in the November 2nd game against the Boston Bruins, and the Leafs had not really shown much backbone since up until that time. However, in the games since Ryan Reaves was made a healthy scratch against the Vancouver Canucks, the Leafs have shown more of a gang mentality in defending themselves and each other and it is something that will, hopefully, continue to carry forward.

The Leafs have struggled to defend themselves and their teammates over the years, but with the additions of players like Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, who drag their teammates into the fight, so to speak, the Leafs have showed much more resolve in dealing with post-whistle scrums and incidents throughout games.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Sheldon Keefe addresses Auston Matthews' suggestion for playing the next Global Series in Mexico City

Steeves red hot, enjoying a 10-game point streak in the AHL; could a trade be in the works to open up a spot?

Insider asks a very important question about William Nylander's value after a dominant Global Series

POLL
20 NOVEMBRE \| 244 ANSWERS Analysts discuss Marner's retaliatory slash and how the team has responded since Liljegren's injury Do you think having Reaves in the lineup hindered the Leafs from defending themselves and each other?
Yes, they were waiting for him to do it	144	59 %
No, they could have done this at any time	100	41 %
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