Leafs face test against ‘underrated’ Penguins

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

Follow| Archive

The Maple Leafs and Penguins held optional skates at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday. 

The Penguins have outscored the Leafs 9-1 in a pair of wins over Toronto this season. 

"They're an elite team," said coach Sheldon Keefe. "They've been an elite team for a long time. They don't give you any easy nights. There's no shortage of reasons for us to be at our best." 

"They have a high standard of how they play," said veteran forward Jason Spezza. "It's a great test for us, especially coming off a west trip. They get your attention real quick. It's probably the right team to play in a situation like this." 

Toronto's players and staff haven't enjoyed a day off since the All-Star break and returned from a gruelling swing through Calgary, Vancouver and Seattle earlier this week. 

"It is not an easy trip," Keefe admitted. "We made what I believe to be the wise decision to stay the night in Seattle and then fly home [on Tuesday], but that's a long day in itself. When we landed here it's six o'clock in the evening, so you lose that day a bit and then you're right back at the rink. We had to keep practice short yesterday."

The fatigue factor only accentuates the challenge against the Penguins, who lead the Metropolitan Division and are 4-0-1 in February. Pittsburgh handed the Leafs their most lopsided loss of the season back in October.  

"Hopefully we learned our lesson from the 7-1 game," Spezza said. "If you open it up against them, they'll make you play."

"I think they're underrated," said forward Pierre Engvall. "Even their depth guys are really hardworking. We have to stay on top of their good guys and work really hard. We can't give them nothing. We have to be ready for the beginning."

--