TORONTO — In a thrilling display of skill, Conor Timmins dazzled onlookers Saturday, executing a spin move reminiscent of superstar Cale Makar against a scrambling Canadiens defender. He took advantage of the defensive error, gliding toward the Montreal net and launching a puck that found its way past goaltender Samuel Montembeault. This marked Timmins' first goal of the season, a significant achievement given it was the Maple Leafs' lone five-on-five goal during a challenging four-game stretch.

While it’s true that the spin move was somewhat fortuitous, as it stemmed from a bobbled puck and ricocheted off Christian Dvorak, Timmins emphasized the importance of that moment. “Instincts took over, and I just tried to get the puck on net. Seeing it go in felt amazing,” he shared after a lengthy post-game media scrum.

With the hiring of new coach Craig Berube, there has been speculation about which players would fit his system. While heavy hitters like Matthew Knies and tough defensemen like Jake McCabe come as no surprise, Timmins has emerged as an unexpected standout.

Originally acquired by Kyle Dubas and re-signed for $1.1 million before any deadlines, Timmins was seen as more of a developmental player, possibly destined for the press box. However, he has not only secured a spot on the opening night lineup but has also outperformed expectations, becoming a reliable and dynamic part of the third defensive pair.

Despite having never averaged more than 16 minutes per game in previous seasons — and never playing more than 27 games in a single season — Timmins is on track to shatter his personal records in multiple categories this year. "He’s been playing fantastic," raved William Nylander after Timmins received the team’s player-of-the-game award. "He’s making good plays with the puck and playing solid defensively."

Timmins noted that he’s enjoying his role, stating, “I’m just savoring the moment. The team is playing well, and I’m focusing on two things: making simple plays when they’re there and improving my defensive game.”

The Maple Leafs are also navigating the absence of Max Pacioretty, who suffered a left hamstring injury that will keep him out for several weeks. General Manager Brad Treliving confirmed that while it’s a loss, Pacioretty's condition is being managed and it isn’t as severe as initially feared. Pacioretty had served as the team's most physical player and second-top scorer, contributing significantly with 40 hits and six points in just 13 games.

Timmins acknowledged the impact of Pacioretty's absence. “He’s been a great addition, physically and offensively, and has set a fantastic example for the young guys,” he said. This situation opens the door for younger players, and Nick Robertson might finally get the opportunity to shine in a top-six role. Bobby McMann was already added to the lineup to partially fill the void left by Pacioretty.

As if things couldn’t get any tougher, team captain Auston Matthews remains on injured reserve due to a persistent upper-body injury sustained during training camp. With the team performing exceptionally without him — going 3-0 and outscoring opponents 11-2 — there’s no immediate rush for his return. "We want to ensure we manage this properly and get him back healthy," Treliving said.

Moreover, Calle Järnkrok’s recovery setback means he is heading to New York for further evaluation, and while Max Domi missed practice with maintenance issues, he’s expected to play soon. With all these changes, the Maple Leafs will need to adapt as they head into upcoming games against strong opponents.

Projected lines for the Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators include:

- Knies – Domi – Marner

- McMann – Tavares – Nylander

- Robertson – Holmberg – Dewar

- Lorentz – Kämpf – Reaves

On the defense, the pairs are lined up with Rielly – Ekman-Larsson, McCabe – Tanev, and Benoit – Timmins—setting the stage for an intriguing matchup.

Can the Maple Leafs maintain their momentum in the face of adversity? All eyes will be on their young players to step up as they navigate through injuries and line changes!