Maple Leaf Takeaways: Craig Berube drawing straight lines at last

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After going their own way for much of this season, the Maple Leafs took a collective step forward in the final four periods.

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Thanks to a confident victory over Pittsburgh and Wednesday's 5-3 win over Utah.introducing new lines with goals from four of the most famous snipers, they are on a three-game winning streak.

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Our takeaways from the game against Mammoth, when the Leafs moved two points away from leading the crowded Atlantic Division:

BIG TRIO

This time, there was no need for coach Craig Berube to remix his units in search of productivity or just signs of life.

They all had clear runs in tandem with the defence, checking their scoring chances early, defending well and tiring the team that had played the night before. The only group that didn't score, Scott Laughton, returning from injury between Max Domi and Steven Lorenz, came close and scored seven of Toronto's 15 hits.

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“Loti was flying around, hitting guys, doing all kinds of little things,” front row forward Matthew Nice said. “He also brought a lot of juice to the locker room. We're creating a lot of chemistry now.”

Berube enjoyed the chatter on the fourth-line bench, which would have included Laughton, Lorenz and Easton Cowan coming out of camp before Laughton suffered a foot injury.

As of Wednesday – and this is just a small sample – the Leafs, with all their veterans filling roles, won't have room for Cowan full-time, despite his encouraging 10-game, four-point start. Like a newcomer who doesn't need refusals, he was sent to Marly earlier in the day and there we will see some game action pending further developments.

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WELCOME BACK

When Auston Matthews after scoring for the third game in a row, he pointed directly at passer Matias Maccelli, knowing how important it was for the former Mammoth to help demolish his old team. Maccelli scored the winning goal in his usual third stint with Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua.

Macchelli got his first chance in October, replacing Mitch Marner on Matthews' right wing, and while no one expected Marner's 100-point season, Macchelli didn't quite fit in and even lost against the Penguins.

“That was the motivation,” Maccelli agreed. “This game was a good rebound.

“I played with most of these guys for four years (starting with the Arizona Coyotes) and know them very well. I liked it tonight.”

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Maccelli wasn't a regular starter for Utah last year, and the Leafs bet the third-round pick he'd be better off here. But Berube didn't want to delve into Maccelli's past.

“He's got talent and playmaking ability, that's what I do. I always say (being on the bench) is more positive than anything else. Players get irritated by (a lot of factors), coach decisions, (healthy) bodies, different lineups,” Berube said.

JOHNNY IS IN SITE

Pre-game ceremony for John Tavares' 500th NHL goalThe gold stick, given by the club to him, his wife, three children and parents, lifted Tavares to a two-point game. He assisted William Nylander and sensed an opening when McMann fired the puck through two Mammoth defenders to put Tavares in at No. 501.

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At the end of the night, he passed Lanny McDonald for 48th place in NHL history in goals and Bernie Nicholls for 62nd place in points (1,131). Oh, and his kids loved playing with the engraved stick.

“My daughter (Ray, 2) got her first baby,” Tavares said. “My boys (Jace and Axton) have one 1000 and 1000 point game. She'll be more excited when I'm with her tomorrow (team day off).”

When Matthews met with the media after the game wearing a Tavares 500 jersey, someone drew the number 501 with hockey tape.

“I can't say enough about him as a person and a player,” said Matthews, who was given the captaincy by Tavares last year. “It's always nice to honor people like that.”

Tavares, who has already won new fans thanks to a hometown discount on his new contract, could make 40 this season – at the age of 35.

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