With Mitch Marner still out, Toronto Maple Leafs look to ride Auston Matthews, Max Domi connection

TORONTO — Max Domi’s performance on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top line Wednesday night was his best in white and blue so far this season, and all signs point to that promotion lasting a little while longer.

Friday’s practice saw Domi once again skating alongside Auston Matthews, with head coach Sheldon Keefe telling reporters the team will look to ride the duo’s chemistry this weekend.

“There’s parts of their game, not unlike Mitch and Auston, that fit really well,” Keefe said post-practice Friday. “Max looks to make plays and has the ability to make plays.”

We saw exactly that Wednesday, with Domi serving up four assists against the Capitals — including helpers on Matthews’ pair, which brings the NHL’s goal-scoring leader up to 57 on the season.

“I think anytime something’s fresh and new, it works well and feels good early and you kind of ride that a little bit,” Keefe said of the quick chemistry. “That’s where those guys are at right now.”

That sudden surge couldn’t come at a better time for the Maple Leafs, who are in the midst of a busy stretch that sees them hit the ice four times in six days with a pair of back-to-backs. Thursday brought much-needed rest following road dates in Philadelphia — a 4-3 loss that sounded alarm bells — and Washington, a 7-3 win that (mostly) quieted them. The weekend brings a different kind of challenge as Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers come to town, after which the Maple Leafs will jump on a flight to North Carolina for a Sunday evening date with the Hurricanes.

This weekend’s action was always going to be a tough test, two measuring-stick matchups against which the Maple Leafs can compare their own post-season readiness and make lineup adjustments accordingly. The task gets more difficult with injuries to Mitchell Marner and Calle Jarnkrok persisting, making Domi’s promotion that much more clutch.

“With Mitch and Jarnkrok being out, we’ve felt like we needed more depth and more skill, in particular on the wings, so that’s changed how we’ve approached things with Max,” said Keefe. “And this connection those guys have made, we’ve benefited from and we’ll look to ride that.”

Domi said Friday he’s looking to make the most of the opportunity to play alongside Matthews, with whom he shares a strong friendship, too.

“I’m his No. 1 fan. Love getting to know him, he’s a great human being. Super humble, works hard, loves working at his craft. We’ve got a lot of similarities in that sense. We both like pushing the pace and both of us want to win,” Domi said of Matthews. “Obviously he’s a super dynamic player …  he competes every shift. We’ve just got to match his work ethic and his competitiveness out there.”

The top line will likely still see some tweaks made, with Tyler Bertuzzi — who battled through an illness Wednesday night but still suited up alongside Domi and Matthews — listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

Keefe confirmed Bertuzzi was not at the facility on Friday, and said the winger is “a little bit worse than what he was the other day” and dealing with different symptoms.

Matthew Knies slotted into his place on Friday.

“I love playing with Matty, he’s awesome,” Domi said of Knies. “Big guy, competes hard, a lot of speed. Big on the forecheck, goes to the net. He’s a great guy to play with and obviously a big piece of this team.”

Asked about his chemistry with Domi, Matthews pointed to strong communication between the duo as a driving force between the duo’s on-ice connection.

“I think communication is a big piece and something I like to do is just communicate, talk, and kind of sort stuff out, ask questions, get a feel for what the other guy’s thinking as well,” said Matthews, whose hunt for goal No. 70 will continue Saturday. “So, that’s a pretty big piece in my opinion and I think we’ve been able to do that in the couple games that we’ve been together.”

Domi also took drills on the Leafs’ first power-play unit alongside Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares.

Domi’s obvious talent as a playmaker and puck distributor should serve him well on the PP1 assignment.

“I think obviously the playmaking side of it and distributing the puck and making guys fight and giving those guys some more time with the puck is the key,” Domi said after practice. “But when the time’s ready, you’ve got to pull the trigger, too, and shoot and get some rebounds.”

Marner progressing, but ruled out for weekend

Marner has been sidelined five games since suffering a high-ankle sprain against the Boston Bruins on Mar. 7, and Keefe said Friday he’ll miss at least two more.

Keefe, who earlier this week referred to Marner’s status as “day-to-day away from being day-to-day” said the forward hit the ice for some skating sessions this week, including prior to practice on Friday, and will rest Saturday.

Elsewhere in the lineup, Keefe indicated defender T.J. Brodie will likely sit out again Saturday, though the coach made clear the decision wasn’t made as punishment. He praised Brodie’s play this season, and said new post-deadline flexibility allows the veteran some time to take a mental breather so he can regain his stride at this pivotal time of the season.

Keefe said Ilya Lyubushkin will also need at least another day on the sideline, but didn’t offer a further update.