One pretty significant observation regarding Ryan Reaves over the last two games in Washington and Dallas

While it was always very obvious that Reaves would never have a great expected goal share or even to fight every single game, his toughness and presence is enough to influence the state of a game, as the last two games have shown. While the Leafs played the Capitals and Stars this week, they encountered two pretty renowned tough guys in Tom Wilson and Jamie Benn, and neither of them were an issue. Not only were they not an issue towards Reaves himself, but they didn't even really try to impose their will on any of the Leafs' other players.

Could it merely have been on off-night for both Wilson and Reaves on Tuesday and Thursday? Sure, maybe. But if you'll recall, early last season, Jamie Benn had no issue with delivering a series of stiff cross checks to the lower back and side of Auston Matthews. He didn't try it again last night with Reaves looking on from the bench. Coincidence? Maybe, but it seems far more likely that Benn simply didn't feel as though the juice was worth the squeeze this time around. Had he taken liberties on Matthews last night, you just know that Keefe would have tapped Reaves on the shoulder and told him to take a number.

While Reaves didn't have to fight in the last few games, his presence arguably made the difference in deterring opposing pests from targeting the Leafs' stars. In turn, the Leafs are able to play with more confidence, allowing their skill to take over the game, as we saw last night.