SNAPSHOTS; Mitch Marner ‘progressing very well’ in return from injury

Article content

The 100-point watch for Mitch Marner is long gone, now the Maple Leafs just want him healthy for the playoffs.

Article content

That process took a step forward when he skated ahead of the team on Tuesday morning, continuing to ramp up recovery from a sprained ankle suffered almost three weeks ago in Boston.

Article content

Sheldon Keefe, who has kept mum on Marner’s injury and vague on the timetable, was in a better mood about the all-star right winger’s condition.

“Mitch is no longer day-to-day from (being) day-to-day, he’s just day-to-day,” the coach quipped. “He’s progressing very well. As far as plans for (practising) the rest of the week, that will be determined (Wednesday) as I haven’t got the full report today.”

Without Marner — who had 76 points in 62 games when he was hurt — the Leafs have a record of 4-3-1, but Auston Matthews’ goal total, plus power-play and penalty-killing efficiency, have been negatively impacted.

Article content

Article content

SPRUNG FOR SPRING PLAYOFFS

One look at Simon Benoit’s playoff timeline and it’s easy to see why he’s eager to get them started next month.

The past four seasons of his time in the Anaheim Ducks organization, 232 games, ended with zero post-season appearances, including his farm tenure in San Diego.

“Last year, we knew we were out before (the stretch run),” the defenceman said Tuesday as the Leafs began a 12-game countdown meeting New Jersey. “Other than keep playing, there wasn’t a lot you can do about (the standings).

“We’re tuning up our details, getting in that mindset. This is exciting for me when you look at our depth, all our defence. I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team and from there it’s up to the coaching staff and the management.”

Article content

Benoit is not alone as a post-season castaway. Forward Noah Gregor also had been a spectator for a few years with San Jose and its Barracuda farm team. Defenceman Joel Edmundson was on two teams in the Cup final — the 2019 St. Louis Blues and 2022 Canadiens — but nothing since.

Defenceman Conor Timmins has been blanked since appearing with 2021 Colorado Avalanche, while Nick Robertson was hurt last spring while winger Pontus Holmberg at least played a round with the Marlies.

STAND ON GUARD

This week sees the Leafs play three games against playoff-imperiled teams — New Jersey, the Washington Capitals on Thursday and in Buffalo on Saturday.

Article content

That’s something to be wary of, given the Leafs’ record at home against teams below them in the standings.

“We haven’t clinched anything,” cautioned Keefe of the Leafs being a few wins shy of the mid-90s point range that usually guarantees a spot. “Nothing is secure and we need to approach it that way every day, on every shift and every practice.

“We have to have a lot of urgency here. We have the mindset to clinch a spot, but you still have to do it, maximize each day.

“The other part is to have your game in good order. Pile on the injuries and the guys we’ve had in and out of the lineup, which creates a little adversity within the group and that in itself has had our attention. But let’s not have any slips like we had in Philadelphia (a week ago).”

SON OF SHANE DEBUTS

Shane Doan, advisor to GM Brad Treliving, was back in Arizona on Tuesday for the NHL debut of son Josh in the Coyotes game against Columbus.

The younger Doan is a 22-year-old right winger chosen by Arizona in the second round of the 2021 draft by his hometown team, where Shane played for 20 years after the team moved from Winnipeg.

Josh had 26 goals and 20 assists with the farm team Tucson Roadrunners before getting called up this week.

“We’re allowing Shane to go for one period, but he has to be back,” Treliving teased.

[email protected]

X: @sunhornby

Article content