Auston Matthews and Sheldon Keefe offer their thoughts on Tyler Bertuzzi after latest win
William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi all scored in the Leafs' 4-3 overtime win against Detroit last night. It was a welcomed sight for Bertuzzi to get his first in a Leaf uniform against his former team after he picked off a pass in the Detroit zone and let a rocket of a shot go from the top of the circle. Throughout camp, Bertuzzi has been skating alongside Mitch Marner and Matthews on the Leafs' top line, slowly building chemistry and getting comfortable with each other. They have had a number of chances in the games they have played so far, but have largely been unable to capitalize. As they get more comfortable with each other, though, they should begin to fill the net. Following last night's game, Sheldon Keefe spoke highly of Bertuzzi's performance.
"I thought today was Bertuzzi's best game. Not just because of the goal, but I just thought he had a little more pace. And I thought that line was a little more connected, especially as the game went on. That third period was our best period, and the best period for that line. So that's encouraging." - Keefe on Bertuzzi's performance against Detroit
Matthews echoed Keefe's comments regarding the chemistry he is gaining with Bertuzzi:
"I think each game, practice, each day, it's just been getting better. It's going to take a little bit of time, but I think we're starting to get a feel for each other out there, starting to create more offence and have extended offensive-zone shifts, where we're really working the puck down low and wearing on their team." - Matthews on Bertuzzi
The trio has been one of the very few consistent lines throughout training camp as Keefe wanted to give them as much time as possible to become familiar with one another. As Matthews said, the chemistry is building the more they play together and hopefully they can hit the ground running when the season starts next Wednesday. Bertuzzi scored just 8 goals last season, but if he plays the way he did last night, he should have no problem at least tripling that total on a line with the Leafs' two best offensive players.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 6 | 175 ANSWERS Auston Matthews and Sheldon Keefe offer their thoughts on Tyler Bertuzzi after latest win Do you like Tyler Bertuzzi on that top line with Matthews and Marner? | ||
| Yes, he's been getting better and better | 104 | 59.4 % |
| He's fine there, but I'd like to see more from him | 51 | 29.1 % |
| No, I haven't been impressed at all | 20 | 11.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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