Sammy Blais hoping to make most of Maple Leafs opportunity

Sammy Blais knows his days as a Maple Leaf starter may be limited.

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So the winger was happy to make a quick contribution when a busy schedule and injuries caught up with the team.

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Rewarding his former St. Louis coach Craig Berube's faith in both pushing him on waivers and then finally inserting him after 10 games, Blais opened the game with a two-point game in Columbus and then scored a team-best five in 10 minutes of ice time Saturday in Philadelphia.

Blais, 29, has not played in the NHL since the 2023-24 season, when he played his second game with the Blues. In between, he helped the Vancouver farm team in Abbotsford, British Columbia, win the AHL Calder Cup.

“I tried to stay ready in practice and in the gym, so when my name was called, I was ready to go,” the fourth-line forward said before the lineup was announced for Monday's game against Pittsburgh. “It was great that I touched the puck a lot, played well and was physical, which is also part of my game.

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“I was picked up (from his home province by the Montreal Canadiens) knowing there were a lot of good players here, so when I got the chance, I hope I can take advantage of it.”

Blais helped Berube win the 2019 Stanley Cup with the Blues.

“He did what we asked him to do and what I know about him,” Berube said. “He interferes with the opponents. You saw his skills with the puck, we have to keep him on his toes and focused.”

Winger Steven Lorenz hopes to be ready to play Wednesday after crashing hard into the boards on a quick hit in Columbus. Lorenz said it wasn't so much the pain that bothered him, but watching the Jackets score on the rush as he went down and the Leafs couldn't hold onto the puck before the whistle.

“I was very lucky with the outcome,” he said of the severe bruising. “But as soon as I raised my head, the puck went in our goal. There was a lot of disappointment (he broke a good stick in half on the bench), but now I feel good.”

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