Jordie Benn's Leafs' debut a resounding success; Benn drops a bomb quote about beating his old team
For 35-year-old journeyman defenseman Jordie Benn, you just couldn't script a better Leafs debut. Benn had been sidelined due to a groin injury to start the season and stepped in for Game 16 behind the 8-ball - however, you wouldn't have known it by the way he played.
Benn recorded an 80% expected goals, 9 shot attempts, 3 shots on goal, 4 hits, 1 blocked shot and the game-winning goal in just under 17:30 of total ice time against the Canucks.
Benn spoke to the media following the game, revealing that he's not used to the post-goal celebration when he's the guy who scores, since it doesn't happen very often. He credits Auston Matthews for making the moment special.
-Benn on his post-goal celly
Benn was also asked during the post-game interviews whether or not he had grown up a Leafs fan. He revealed that he actually grew up a Canucks fan, stating that "it was good to stick it to them". Benn was a member of the Canucks for two seasons from 2019-2021, before they traded him to the Winnipeg Jets at the deadline.
The Leafs now have a couple of days between games and will get a much-needed day off on Sunday before returning to practice on Monday. Following Monday's practice, the Buds will travel to Pittsburgh for a grudge match against the Penguins in enemy territory.
We don't yet know if Benn will be in the lineup for that one, but if his performance in last night's game was able to plant any seeds in the minds of the coaching staff, perhaps they'll take their time with T.J. Brodie and get him back to 100% before having him return to the lineup. In that case, we would see Benn slot in for the Buds in Pittsburgh.
We shouldn't expect this sort of production every night from a player like Benn, however. In 596 career NHL games, Benn has scored just 26 goals and 136 points. There are plenty of things he does well though - including playing a physical brand of hockey that the Leafs don't really have on the back end. He's also no stranger to standing up for his teammates and dropping the gloves if necessary.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 13 | 693 ANSWERS Jordie Benn's Leafs' debut a resounding success; Benn drops a bomb quote about beating his old team Should Jordie Benn slot in for the Leafs in Pittsburgh on Tuesday? | ||
| Yes | 640 | 92.4 % |
| No | 13 | 1.9 % |
| Depends if Brodie is healthy enough to go | 40 | 5.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
