Kadri suspension has Maple Leafs adjusting for Game 2 against Bruins
Toronto aims to even series in Boston without forward
As such, he doesn't want to hear any whining about how Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri was suspended three games Friday for boarding Boston Bruins forward Tommy Wingels in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Thursday, a 5-1 Toronto loss. Kadri was given a five-minute charging major and game misconduct at 8:18 of the third period.
In Babcock's mind, the lineup he'll use for Game 2 on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, TVAS) is more than competent enough to even the best-of-7 series.
RELATED: [Kadri suspended three games | Complete Bruins vs. Maple Leafs series coverage]
The message is clear: Better play means better results, Kadri or no Kadri.
"We lost guys all year long," Babcock said. "Dig in and play.
"What I'm looking at is we got an opportunity to play tomorrow. And it's our opportunity to play in the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs. Playoffs are real simple: If you win, you play again. If you don't, you go home. We want to keep playing. You spend all this time preparing and working. Now we've got to show it.
"The other thing I find disappointing: It's no different than writing an exam. If you prepare hard, you expect good results. If you go there and you don't get them, you say, 'What did I do wrong so I can be better next time?' That's what this is."
With Toronto having flunked its first test in the playoffs, Babcock was formulating a contingency plan for life without Kadri long before he'd received word on the supplemental discipline the forward was given by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
With Kadri, who was third on the Maple Leafs in goals (32) and fourth in points (55) this season, not on the ice for practice at TD Garden, veteran forward Patrick Marleau took over at center on the second line with regular linemate Mitchell Marner. Joining them was third-year forward Zach Hyman, Toronto's goal-scorer in Game 1.
First-liners Auston Matthews and William Nylander were joined by gritty Leo Komarov in Hyman's regular spot. Babcock said he feels Komarov's physical play can create space for the speedy Matthews and Nylander, who spent a chunk of Game 1 matched up against Boston's big line of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.
Though the line of James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Connor Brown remained intact, rookie Andreas Johnsson is expected to make his NHL playoff debut with Tomas Plekanec and Kasperi Kapanen on the fourth line.
Marleau has played center at times this season, primarily during the 20 games Matthews missed because of injuries (back, shoulder, concussion). The Maple Leafs went 11-7-2 without Matthews, boosting Babcock's argument that they have the depth to win.
"I've gone back and forth all year," Marleau said. "It's a little bit different, but should be fine.
"[Hyman will] definitely be flying and getting in on the forecheck and be going to the net. It might allow Mitch and myself to play with the puck a little bit more and make those plays towards the net."
Hyman was Toronto's best player in Game 1. That's both good and bad news for the Maple Leafs.
Having players like Hyman elevate their games in the postseason is a recipe for success. But Babcock wants his top offensive players like Matthews, Nylander and Marner to follow suit.
Matthews has an idea of how Toronto can create more scoring chances.
"I think just getting the puck in and bumping it over and creating that space, spreading the zone out a little bit more [will help]," Matthews said. "They're good at clogging it up in small areas in their D-zone. So when you spread them out you get more opportunities, hang on to the puck more."
Pastrnak (goal, two assists), Bergeron (assist) and Marchand (goal, assist) combined for six points. Marchand also created a stir when he appeared to kiss Komarov on the cheek. With Komarov likely to start on the Matthews line, he figures to see much more of Marchand on Saturday.
Marchand said he was trying to get into Komarov's head.
"It doesn't bother me," Komarov said. "I play hockey and he plays hockey, and he's a good player. We just keep competing.
"We need to be tighter. They're a good line, but we have to focus on ourselves and how we can be better."
