TORONTO — During the conversations about where they’ve been and what’s to come, Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner usually end up back at the same place.
They talk about how important this spring is to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They talk about why this one is going to be different.
“Mostly about how we can win this time around,” Rielly said before Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning. “We’ve lost a couple and maybe we’re due for a win, that kind of stuff. Like we’re not on the plane talking about breakouts and talking about offensive opportunities.
“It’s more based around belief and effort, because those two things are important. More mentally preparing than anything.”
The path through the Boston Bruins starts between the ears and, for the Leafs, it’s a top-of-mind discussion with the days now numbered in this regular season.
They got a welcome chaser of belief with a stout performance against the 61-win Lightning — a game that saw them welcome Gardiner back to the lineup after a five-week absence. He looked … OK. Better than expected after 18 games on the shelf due to a back issue that had him debating the possibility of season-ending back surgery.
“It’s exciting. There’s some relief,” said Gardiner, who played 16:51 and came out on the right side of shot attempts, with carefully curated shift deployments. “I want to help this team go as far as we possibly can in this playoff run and it’s always tough when you’re sitting out with an injury and you’re not sure if you’re going to be able to get back.
“Now that I am, it’s a pretty good feeling.”
Even Alex Killorn’s winning goal in the 54th minute couldn’t fully take the shine off Gardiner’s return and some sharp performances from his teammates. Mitch Marner was all over the ice, scoring the opening goal and somehow finding enough energy to draw a penalty at the end of a 94-second penalty-killing shift.
“I thought he was a star,” said coach Mike Babcock. “In these big games, he is always in the right spot and knows how to play.”
There was an attention to detail out of the mould of Monday’s playoff-clinching performance on Long Island. The game was fast and hard-checking, with Toronto gaining a slight edge in shot attempts and scoring chances at even strength.
The Leafs were burned by two mistakes — allowing Steven Stamkos in on a short-handed breakaway and committing a couple turnovers before Killorn’s winning goal — but overall they kept things pretty buttoned down against a lethal opponent. It was a long way from the chance-trading pond hockey of a couple weeks back.
“I thought we did a lot of good things, especially early on, and for the most part took care of the puck,” said Auston Matthews, who had a game-high 10 attempts.
As much as two more points in the standings would have been appreciated, the Leafs are already on to Boston, mentally. Game 1 of that series won’t come until Thursday at TD Garden, but the preparation is well underway.
“I think we’re really ready,” said Gardiner. “Every PP meeting, basically all aspects, we say ‘Oh, this is what Boston’s going to do.’ We’ve just got to be ready for that.”
They dug a big hole in the first two games of last year’s first-round meeting with the Bruins and want to make sure it’s not repeated. They also have the experience of a six-game loss to Washington two years back to draw on as well.
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“When we talk about playoffs and we talk about the first-round playoff matchup, the belief has to be there that we can win,” said Rielly. “When two series goes by and you lose them both … there’s almost like a little bit of a mental block there that you have to get through. That happens in all careers and this is it for us.”
It’s a much bigger discussion than what happened in Game 81 against Tampa or how things might go Saturday in the regular season finale at Montreal.
The Leafs are getting closer to full health and Frederik Andersen appears to be back in form. They believe they’re ready to take the next step.
“It’s weird, you just have to know you can do it and just kind of check everything,” said Rielly. “Check the past two series at the door and go out and play.”
