TORONTO – Ryan Reaves delivered two big hits to loud approval.
The Maple Leafs enforcer then fought later in the game to inspire his teammates, gesturing emphatically to the bench after a series of punishing blows that had fans inside Scotiabank Arena on their feet.
Toronto lost 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday — despite the result, Reaves had one of his best performances in blue and white.
It was also a situation the physical winger had trouble foreseeing a few months ago.
Reaves, who signed a three-year contract in July as part of a roster makeover, suffered a knee injury on Dec. 14.
A difficult start in Toronto had already seen him in and out of the lineup with one goal and a minus-11 rating through 21 games. Now he had to sit for a long time.
Reaves wouldn’t play again until Jan. 24 when the door finally opened again.
Those six weeks of inaction helped turn the 37-year-old’s season around.
“Used that as a mini training camp,” Reaves said. “I worked on everything that I could. I was doing two-, three-a-days (training sessions) sometimes.
“Just trying to regain confidence.”
One of the biggest personalities in the league and the owner of a million-dollar smile, it’s hard to imagine the Winnipeg native’s self-belief in tatters.
But there he was.
“Confidence is a real thing,” Reaves said. “First time I’ve probably gone through something like that in my career where I just felt like nothing was going right. I just felt like I had no confidence.
“Used that opportunity to try and build it back.”
He’s since found a landing spot on Toronto’s fourth line alongside David Kampf and Connor Dewar.
Reaves looks quicker, more engaged and has shown confidence with the puck. He’s been in the right spots, which has allowed him to deliver punishing checks with his six-foot-two, 226-pound frame.
Just ask Lightning defencemen Victor Hedman and Matt Dumba after Wednesday.
“Compared to the beginning of season, it’s been night and day,” said Reaves, whose contract carries a US$1.35-million average annual value through 2025-26.
“It’s what they’ve expected out of me.”
Reaves, who also fought Tampa forward Tanner Jeannot on Wednesday, has been a hit off the ice, with his lighthearted demeanour a welcome addition to a locker room under a constant microscope in hockey’s biggest media market.
“Great teammate,” Leafs star Auston Matthews said. “He’s brought a lot of energy, a lot of positivity to the group. You see the impact he makes on the ice, the way he plays, his physicality, fighting.
“It’s infectious.”
And while Reaves has rediscovered his game and made valuable contributions, it remains to be seen where he fits once the playoff start.
Post-season hockey is physical and intense — hallmarks of his game — but fights aren’t usually part of the spring equation for a player averaging just over eight minutes of ice time.
Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and Calle Jarnkrok are working their way back from injuries. There are only so many spots up front to go around.
Ryan Reaves, who has scored three goals and assisted twice in 44 games, said that he doesn't know where he fits in the playoffs. He emphasized that he can only play physically, defend well, and create scoring opportunities.
Reaves commented that the decision is above his pay grade.
Although the decisions will be made in the coach’s office, it's clear how the team sees the winger.
Matthews commented positively on Reaves' recent performance, highlighting how his physical play and crowd-energizing hits bring momentum and energy to the team.
He mentioned that Reaves' play brings a significant, positive momentum shift for the team.
Regardless of the upcoming post-season, Reaves feels much better about his current position.
Reaves expressed his satisfaction with the current chemistry and physical play of the line he's on.
He expressed his intention to continue to build on his performance and bring the same energy into the playoffs.
This report by The Canadian Press was initially published on April 4, 2024.
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