01-05-2025
MAPLE LEAFS NOTES: Teammates inspire teammates, rolling Panthers await
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'They're primarily the same team, but now they know how to do it. There is only a few teams in the last little while that really know how to do it. We were one of them and now they are one of them.
'We're in a really tough (Atlantic) Division. It was our turn for a while (in winning the Cup in 2020 and 2021) and now it's theirs.'
SANDERSON THE MAN
If we didn't know it already, we certainly do now.
Jake Sanderson, who turns 23 this summer, should play a significant role in the Battle of Ontario for years to come, whether it's in the regular season or if the Leafs and Senators meet again at some point in the playoffs.
Sanderson represents a piece for Ottawa that the Leafs don't have in their organization: A young defenceman who is on pace be a cornerstone type, if he is not that already for the Senators.
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The fifth pick overall in 2020 had a career-high 57 points in 80 games during the regular season. His sense for the game puts him in the upper tier of defencemen in the same age range.
'He is very elusive, as you guys can see,' Berube said. 'As much as you can, you want to be physical on him and arrive on time and take the body on him. That will slow him down, for sure.
'When he has separation, it's best to angle him out and make him move the puck and keep him in front of you as best you can. Tough to handle. He is a great skater, he has a lot of good tools.'
