12 games into the new season, the Maple Leafs’ power play currently sits at 29th out of 32 teams with a measly 12.5 per cent conversion rate. For the Leafs to be the dominant playoff team they want to be, they need to get their power play in order. Even with the departure of Mitch Marner (and the power play had its struggles when he was here as well), the Leafs have a player capable of scoring 60 goals, a player who has scored 40 in three straight seasons, and another player who is a safe bet for 30 goals. With that much firepower up front, your power play has to be a strength.
“Yeah, Cowboy, to me, really did a lot with the puck, skated well through the neutral zone, made plays in the offensive zone,” Berube said of Cowan. “It looked like him and JT really ran off each other well and created some really good scoring opportunities. He’s got the ability to make those little plays in tight.”
Berube noted that the team has gone without results on the power play for too long and that he believes Cowan can contribute positively to the man advantage.
“We’re not making enough plays on the power play, and I talk out of both ends of my mouth, but you know, we are shooting pucks,” Berube continued. “I think we’re top 5 in the league with shots for on the power play, but we’re not getting results. A lot of times, you know, you gotta be able to make these plays, and he really does see those plays, like in the bumper, going to the goal line, little rotation stuff. So, hopefully that can trigger something and get some better looks in tight.”
Speaking of needing a spark, Bobby McMann wasn’t taking regular line rushes with the rest of the team at morning skate. Berube clarified that there are still some lineup decisions to be made before the game, meaning McMann isn’t a confirmed scratch at the time of filing, but he spoke about wanting to see more out of his power forward.
“Early on I saw the player I wanted to see, you know, he was very aggressive. He was physical, winning his battles, doing things like that, and it’s dipped off a little bit. So, it’s just about a mindset for me, with him, he’s playing a little too safe at times, and he needs to play more aggressively and do what we need out of him.”
The Maple Leafs will look to stay in the win column as they get set to face the Penguins in the first of four straight home games.
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