TORONTO – “It’s been a long time comin’.”
That is how Joe Thornton described the news that fans will be in the building for a Toronto Maple Leafs home game for the first time in 447 days.
The quantity of attendees won’t be overwhelming -- 550 in a 19,000-seat Scotiabank Arena -- but the quality is something.
“It's great,” Thornton said. “I can't wait for more people to start coming in this building. It's gonna be fun to play in front of them. I know it's only 500, but hopefully we'll build off this and continue to get more people going forward.”
Each Game 7 fan will be a fully vaccinated frontline healthcare worker.
Their ticket price will be $0.
A small token of appreciation.
“I can’t think of a better way to support the Maple Leafs in this crucial game than having our health care heroes cheer them on in person,” tweeted premier Doug Ford Monday morning. “Public health officials are confident we can put these special fans in the stands safely and with minimal risk.”
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is providing the seats while Scotiabank will be giving sweaters to each of the workers.
The proposal was put forth by Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, who created a petition to get vaccinated essential workers into the barn after seeing 2,500 fans in Montreal attend Game 6 Saturday.
“In hockey, fans in an arena are like having a 6th man on the ice,” Brown tweeted Sunday. “I can't think of a more inspirational group of fans than essential workers & healthcare heroes who have been on the frontlines fighting Covid-19.”
Public pressure paid off.
“It's just a great sign for where we're headed as a society. I think it's a great way to recognize the healthcare workers for all the hard work that they've done to get us to this point,” Jason Spezza said. “And as players, obviously we enjoy playing in front of people.”
Muzzin’s injury opens redemption shot for Sandin
Stanley Cup champion Jake Muzzin is a defensive stalwart, the vocal leader of the Maple Leafs’ blue line, and, with two goals, the club’s most dangerous shooter from the back end in this series.
His performance helped force overtime in Game 5, but he pulled himself out of Game 6’s loss with an apparent groin injury.
On Monday, coach Sheldon Keefe announced Muzzin will be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks with a lower-body injury.
"We have to press on without him," Keefe said.
This marks the second consecutive series the Leafs will be forced to complete without Muzzin, who suffered a frightening neck injury in Game 2 of the qualification round against Columbus last summer.
“Muzz is a huge leader for us,” Spezza said. “Very competitive guy. A guy that brings it every night, all season. Loves the game and is passionate about it. He's a guy that obviously is a big piece to us.”
Muzzin’s injury opens the door for Rasmus Sandin’s return to the lineup.
The 21-year-old was scratched in favour of Travis Dermott Saturday after committing two costly own-zone turnovers in Game 5 that led directly to Montreal goals.
Sandin scored his first playoff goal in Game 2.
Tavares skates but won’t play… yet
The sight of John Tavares (knee, concussion) pushing hard in Monday’s optional skate caused a stir of speculation that the captain might make a dramatic comeback for Game 7.
That will not be the case. The Leafs will be cautious and keep his health a top priority.
"The best thing we can do as teammates is win a hockey game for him and give him an opportunity to get closer to playing," Spezza said.
Tavares has had no setbacks in his recovery.
“Things are progressing very well,” Keefe said. “His recovery has been quite remarkable. Even from the next morning of [Game 1] injury, he was pretty much back to himself, and he's had no issues since then.”
One-Timers: Leafs starter Jack Campbell will participate in his first career Game 7. His foil, Carey Price, is 2-1 with .944 save percentage in Game 7s… The team that scores first is 136-46 (.747) all-time in Game 7s…. Montreal coach Dominique Ducharme said he is “pretty confident” he’ll run back the same Canadiens lineup that won Game 6’s overtime thriller Saturday.
