John Tavares believes the Maple Leafs’ pace was better in win over Predators

Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares felt the improved pacing of the team was one of the keys to their win over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

Coming off a frustrating 6-3 loss Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, the Leafs responded with a better overall effort and made good on their chances that weren’t prevalent in the previous two games. While it was far from perfect since the Predators tied it in the second, the Leafs did enough to get back in the win column.

Tavares told reporters after the game that part of what made their performance better was that his team was quicker on pucks and board battles more often than not.

“ I liked our pace. I thought we were moving the puck and were moving our feet a lot better,” Tavares said. “ We gotta do a better job, especially early in second periods. They got back in it, they pushed back. We weren’t as quick and didn’t win as many battles as we wanted. But we were able to grab the lead back and from there out, played hard, played really well.”

Tavares was able to put in his best performance of the season so far with a goal and two assists, while William Nylander did the same in what was a bounce-back showing for him. Although Matias Maccelli wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet, he set up plenty of scoring chances and was looking more comfortable with his new linemates.

As far as why the line was able to be effective against Nashville, Tavares felt that it was because of their pace of play.

“ Taking what’s there, making plays, moving the puck when the play’s there to be made,” he said. “Just being direct, winning battles, and being hard. Over the course of the game, you pull things in your favour. Earn space on the ice to get the puck around the net more, you play in the offensive zone more. So some of those details were really good.”

It wasn’t just their line that was driving the Leafs forward; they got goal contributions from the likes of Auston Matthews, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jake McCabe while the majority of the lineup got on the scoresheet, including Easton Cowan’s first NHL point. Tavares said that is what this year’s team wants to do more of, with everyone contributing to the team’s success.

That also means the play of the goaltending, with whom Tavares praised Cayden Primeau for his showing in his first Leafs start.

“ I wish we did a little better job at the end, but he was fantastic,” Tavares said. “ I think he’s just real calm, real sure of himself and really steady, especially when they tied it up and got back in the game.  Can’t remember if the power play was before they tied it up or after. But a lot of lethal shooters, playmakers out there, and takes that test really, really well and just steady all night for us.”