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Maybe there’s something in the Muskoka water that draws the Maple Leafs to Gravenhurst at the end of every training camp.
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Maybe making the trip is just pure superstition now that consecutive visits there under coach Sheldon Keefe have seen 50-win seasons ensue.
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Or maybe the Leafs just like getting away from the grind, to wake up and see coniferous trees instead of condominiums with less traffic and less media for a couple of days.
“It’s spending some time together,” captain John Tavares said Monday night before the Leafs hopped a bus for a day off in the region and a Wednesday practice. “People know how much I love Muskoka (his family compound is there) and it’s been a big part of our team building and camaraderie.
“We do a lot of things outside the rink so we’re looking forward to it, especially with a lot of new faces, to socialize, have some fun. And get a little bit of work done.”
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Late breakdowns on Monday against Montreal saw Toronto, with close to its opening-night roster, fail to nail a 4-2 lead, allowing goals in the last minute of the second and third periods (the latter with the Canadiens’ net empty), then lose 31 seconds into overtime with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Timothy Liljegren on the ice.
“Success comes when we’re really direct with our game, things start to open up and we’re really hard to handle,” said Tavares, who scored twice. “In the last 10 minutes, it’s obviously about doing a better job locking it down, how we can prevent entries into our zone and when the net’s empty, understanding when to be aggressive and when to protect the middle.
“There were a lot of good things (in the game) and a lot of areas we have to grow.”
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Keefe backed Tavares’ assertion that a break in routine will be a good way to bond with new Leafs, such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves and John Klingberg. The Leafs open the regular season next Wednesday against Montreal at Scotiabank Arena.
NO KIDDING AROUND
Keefe announced one curious move before departing: Junior Fraser Minten would go north with the team while Easton Cowan remained in Toronto.
The coach added Cowan is not going back to the London Knights juniors just yet and will play in Thursday’s home exhibition game against Detroit.
It’s likely the 18-year-old first-rounder Cowan was considered too young for any social activity Tuesday, which happens to be defenceman Mark Giordano’s 40th birthday.
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Giordano mentioned to reporters last week it meant a lot to him to have lasted until 40 in the NHL.
Cowan, Minten (last year’s top pick from the Kamloops Blazers) and free-agent defenceman Spencer Sova from Erie are likely returning to their CHL clubs by the weekend.
FAMILY PROPERTY
The irony wasn’t lost on Max Domi in Monday’s first period as he took a seat in the home penalty box where father Tie spent the last of his Leafs record 2,265 penalty minutes.
“He spent a lot more time in there than I ever will,” chuckled Max, making his hometown exhibition debut as a Leaf on a line with William Nylander and Nick Robertson.
But Max is not shy about mixing it up and, along with his two goals in three games so far, has a penalty in every contest. In his 624 regular-season and playoff games, he has 576 PIMs.
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Keefe was asked if Domi’s string of minors so far is a sign the newcomer is too boisterous in trying to make a good impression.
Monday’s minor was a slash on the hands in aggressive pursuit of the Montreal puck carrier for which Domi was contrite after the Habs scored on the ensuing power play.
“It is a fine line,” Keefe said of harnessing Domi’s enthusiasm. “(But) I’d rather have to tone a guy down than kick him in the ass to get him going.”
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LOOSE LEAFS
Keefe also is patient with his power play, which has lacked all its working parts in exhibition matches due to lineup changes and new quarterback Klingberg’s minor upper-body injury. The unit was 1-for-5 on Monday. New assistant coach Guy Boucher has introduced new ideas, particularly for first group forwards — Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares — to be even more effective than last season’s 26.0% team success rate. Shift length and overhandling the puck concerned Keefe on Monday … Left winger Noah Gregor, who also scored in the game, is getting closer to turning his pro tryout contract into a deal. His landing spot could be left wing with David Kampf and Ryan Reaves. “They get the goal, but they had good shifts for us and they defended well,” Keefe said. “Not a lot went bad when they were out there” … Young winger Matthew Knies has five points in five games to lead Toronto’s active pre-season scorers. Defenceman Conor Timmins damaged his knee after ringing up two goals and four assists.
lhornby@postmedia.com
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