TORONTO – As the Toronto Maple Leafs head west in search of elusive road victories, they are hoping Nazem Kadri leads the expedition.
For as much as the eye-popping skill of the rookies has rightfully caused a stir at Air Canada Centre, it has been the contributions from Kadri’s 200-foot game that made the difference on some of the most memorable nights this season.
One of those came earlier this month against Edmonton – where Toronto’s three-game road trip just happens to begin on Tuesday night – as Kadri helped neutralize Connor McDavid before beating him in a 1-on-1 battle to score the overtime winner against the Oilers on Nov. 1.
Should Kadri draw the McDavid assignment once again at Rogers Place, he’s got a game plan mapped out for handling the NHL’s leading scorer.
“Just try to get in his way, be physical, be hard on him,” he said Monday before heading to the airport. “Obviously he’s a great player and he’s got a great skillset. If you’re anything but hard on him, he’s going to make plays and he’s going to embarrass you and do what he wants.”
Kadri has thrived in a shutdown role since Leafs coach Mike Babcock started deploying him that way last season. The assignment is as straightforward as they come – focus on keeping “Quality Opponent X” off the scoresheet, first and foremost, and worry about making an offensive impact second.
Interestingly, it hasn’t inhibited his production in any way.
Want to stream 56 Leafs games this season? Sign up for Sportsnet NOW
Kadri is currently on pace for career-highs in goals (35) and points (62) despite averaging the lowest ice time (15:50) of his five full NHL seasons.
If there is any quibble with the performance of the 26-year-old centre, it comes from the moments when those matchups go away. That is most likely to happen outside of Toronto because Babcock is stuck with the first line change in those games.
“At home he’s got an assignment and on the road sometimes he doesn’t have the same detail in his game,” said Babcock. “So he’s got to learn to play in both places and be dialled in in both spots.”
It is a problem that extends well beyond one player on a Leafs team with shockingly disparate splits – an 8-3-0 record at home compared with 1-5-4 away.
However, Kadri will be a focal point on a trip that includes stops in Calgary and Vancouver. He’s been at the centre of emotional moments against both teams — earning a $5,000 fine for making a throat-slashing gesture during a game at the Saddledome last season, and hammering Canucks forward Daniel Sedin with a Nov. 6 blindside hit that left Vancouver GM Jim Benning calling for a suspension.
For the Leafs, Kadri is also a key component to their success. When he’s eating tough minutes it makes things a little easier on the all-rookie unit centred by Auston Matthews, not to mention the one anchored by Tyler Bozak.
Should that script be flipped away from home, he’ll be counted on to take advantage of the more favourable matchup.
And Kadri is the first to acknowledge it hasn’t gone to plan on the road so far.
“It’s definitely tougher, especially in that second period too when you get the long line change,” he said. “We’ve just got to do the best we can. … The matchups aren’t going to be perfect all of the time but everyone’s just got to be ready to play against anyone.”
In the big picture, the Leafs are thrilled with his progress.
He was a force during a victory over Washington earlier in the week and has truly embraced the defensive responsibilities that now complement his offensive ability.
“It’s not just that he’s going to shut down, but he’s also always a threat to score and do something to your team,” said teammate Mitch Marner. “He’s a guy, if you lack defensively, that he’s going to come down and possibly get a goal or make a good scoring chance. He’s been great all-around this year.”
On that front, the coach agrees.
“I think his growth, as far as any player in the league in the last year, has been phenomenal,” said Babcock.
But there is still room for improvement.
Kadri has made his mark in several games at home so far this season. Now he’s got another chance to take the show on the road.
“I don’t want to get scored on and I want to score,” said Kadri. “At the end of the day, whether you’re playing at home or on the road, how you play your game can’t really change.”
