The Toronto Maple Leafs were full of confidence and played their most complete hockey of the year with a six-game winning streak after posting a convincing 7-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night.
Something is happening with the Maple Leafs: The stars are no longer the only ones making their contribution. In Las Vegas, 13 players from the squad blacked out the top scorers list.
“Of course our star players have confidence in their abilities, but confidence can be fleeting in this league. When everyone plays with as much confidence as they do now, it's scary. We have to continue this momentum,” said defender Jake McCabe, quoted by Sportsnet.
“If everyone participates, we will be hard to beat,” said Max Domi. We can play with anyone. The four trios skate and offer intense and short performances. Everyone follows the plan and stays disciplined. If you do that, the other team will have their hands full – and that team still won the Stanley Cup. The Golden Knights didn't have their best night, but I would say we're tough to compete against.
For a team that has relied too heavily on Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares, Domi's emergence makes a big difference. Domi was part of the second trio with Nylander and Tyler Bertuzzi and scored two goals against the Golden Knights.
“When he runs like that and shows that competitive spirit, he can compete with any player in this league,” enthused head coach Sheldon Keefe.
The Queen City team is looking for its seventh straight win when the Colorado Avalanche visit Denver on Saturday.