The Marlies took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Abbotsford Heat in their Western Conference Semifinal series with a 3-1 win last night. Toronto now sits one win away from the Conference Finals. The Marlies benefited from an unlikely source of offense in Greg Scott, who scored a natural hat trick including a great shot at even strength, a short handed goal, and an empty netter. Scott, who has posted a surprisingly productive 74 points in 130 games over the past two seasons, garnered Matt Mistele’s attention in Game 2 as Matt praised his understated shot and energy level. With an ’88 birthdate, he shouldn’t be ruled out as a potential 4th line energy guy for the big club.
Goaltender Ben Scrivens has allowed three goals against in his last three games despite facing 95 Abbotsford shots to the Marlies’ 72 in that span (last night the Marlies were outshot 38-17). It’s a tough situation the Leafs are in here as the pending restricted free agent, who boasted the league’s lowest goals against average in the 2011-12 regular season, is providing ample proof he’s above the competition. Ideally Scrivens stays with the Leafs, despite no guarantee of increased NHL opportunity, in order to continue to work with long-time mentor Francois Allaire throughout the season (he’s repeatedly credited Allaire for helping him get settled down into this playoff run). Scrivens is 25-years-old however, and beyond thinking about his own career and desire to take the next step, would not be waiver exempt under a new deal. His trade value to the Leafs may prove too useful to risk losing him for nothing.
It’s unlikely the Leafs enter the season with a Reimer/Scrivens tandem given Burke’s job depends on his solving of the goaltending issue, and he can ill-afford to continue to rely on inexperience working out. Reimer, who’s got two years left on his deal signed last off-season, is younger than Scrivens and has a bigger and better body of work at the NHL level.
Where do you see Scrivens playing next season?
– via mapleleafshotstove