Two Leafs speak with the media on Thursday, ready for the challenge in Game 5 against Tampa
When Kyle Dubas and the Leafs were preparing to flip the calendar from 2022 to 2023, I'm sure everyone was curious as to what awaited the Leafs at the trade deadline. After all, the Leafs were already a top-4 team in the NHL and had all but sealed up 2nd in the Atlantic Division with their vastly improved two-way play.
As much as we all anticipated the deadline and created our own lists of 2 or 3 players we thought could really help the team take things to that next level and help the Leafs come playoff time, I don't think anyone was prepared for Kyle Dubas to bring in SIX new bodies in Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe, Luke Schenn, Sam Lafferty and Erik Gustafsson.
The Buds faced heavy criticism for just how many moves they made and some were even concerned that with that many changes, there would be an upset in the balance and that the team would lose some of the chemistry it had built throughout the season. Thankfully, those concerns were put to bed when the Leafs sealed up 2nd place in the Atlantic Division. Now, carrying a commanding 3-1 series lead into tonight's Game 5, the Buds can do something that only 1 team has been able to do in the last 3 years running - knock off the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs.
One of the Leafs' newcomers, Noel Acciari, spoke with the media today ahead of Game 5 tonight, quipping about how fun it is to not get booed at Scotiabank Arena, from all of the times he has played here throughout his career. Now, as a Leaf himself, he's ready to try and help the team do something that hasn't been done in nearly 20 years. Reach round 2.
"[It's] nice not to get booed here [at playoff time] from playing against these guys. The city's been great. It will be rocking tonight. [Time to] put our work hats on.
"It's going to be rocking in here tonight ... the fans help us get excited and they give us energy, especially with the big play, and we want to feed off that." - Noel Acciari
"It's going to be rocking in here tonight ... the fans help us get excited and they give us energy, especially with the big play, and we want to feed off that." - Noel Acciari
Similarly, Leafs captain John Tavares also spoke with the media on Thursday and touched on the fact that the pressure from the fanbase doesn't have to be a burden for the team to carry. He says that instead, it can be a driving force and a motivator for the team to use tonight as they look to eliminate the Bolts.
"You try to get away a little bit, try not to put too much focus into it, but you're not stupid either. You know people are excited & trying to push the group on & we're thrilled about that. We want to benefit from that." - John Tavares
Acciari had been playing on a very effective line, featuring fellow former Blue Ryan O'Reilly and rookie sensation Matthew Knies. However, with Knies likely receiving a promotion into the top 6, the Game 4 OT hero, Alex Kerfoot, will be stepping in on line 3 to play with Acciari and O'Reilly on what should be a very tough line for Tampa to generate any chances against.
Meanwhile, Tavares will have the luxury of being able to center a line between Knies and a player whom he has a ton of pre-existing chemistry with in Mitch Marner. Can't wait for puck drop!
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