Yahoo Sports 'I Was Open To Anything': Nick Robertson Changed It Up And Broke Out Of A 12-Game Point Drought In Maple Leafs Win Against Lightning
TAMPA — The expression on Nick Robertson's face said it all.
Twenty-three seconds after Chris Tanev scored his first goal as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Robertson came in from a sharp angle and beat Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, netting his first goal in 13 games.
"It was obviously a relief. It's been a while, so I was happy to get on the board there, and it felt pretty good," Robertson said following Toronto's 5-3 win against the Lightning.
The goal was a showcase of Robertson's talented shot, a skill he’s long been known for. However, for reasons that eluded him, the 23-year-old had not scored in nearly six weeks.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke Friday about wanting Robertson to get to the net more and look for a "greasy goal." While this tally wasn’t "greasy," it showcased the skill that makes Robertson such an asset to the team.
"I know that shot. And he's one of the best shooters I've ever seen," Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll said of Robertson's goal. "It's pretty great for him."
Robertson had been a consistent participant in the team’s optional morning skates, but he elected to stay off the ice this time.
"Maybe switch it up a little bit. I was open to anything," Robertson explained. "I thought it was necessary. My legs weren’t feeling great for some reason, so we took it off. We'll see how the next one goes."
Nick Robertson, who usually takes part in optional morning skates, is not taking part.
— David Alter (@dalter) November 30, 2024
Now that he’s scored, Robertson is open to sticking with the adjusted routine. For the Leafs, the important thing is that Robertson, who hadn’t experienced a scoring drought like this since he was 16, found a way to push through adversity.
"It's not easy when you're snakebitten," Auston Matthews said of Robertson. "You get opportunities, and the puck just doesn't seem to fall. But I know that one felt really good for him, and all the boys are extremely, you know, pumped for him on that. So I think there's more to come for him, absolutely."
In the offseason, Robertson reportedly requested a trade from the Maple Leafs. Despite that, the club insisted there was an opportunity for the young winger. He ultimately signed a one-year, $875,000 contract and has been given plenty of chances this season.
Related: Report: Nick Robertson Informs Maple Leafs He Will Not Re-Sign and Wishes to be Traded
Robertson’s history with the Maple Leafs has been a mix of promise and perseverance. Since being drafted in the second round (53rd overall) in 2019, he quickly became one of the club's most exciting prospects. He made his NHL debut in the 2020 playoffs, scoring his first career goa against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite flashes of brilliance, injuries and inconsistency have defined much of his young career, leaving him with a lot to prove this season.
The Leafs have stuck with Robertson through his struggles. Apart from a couple of games as a healthy scratch this season, he’s been leaned on heavily, especially as the team copes with injuries at the forward level, even with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies returning to the lineup on Saturday.
Berube’s confidence in Robertson hasn't seemed to waver and now the club is hoping this is the start for the American-forward winger.
"He's working hard. No problem with the work ethic," Berube said. "We talked today about getting on the inside more and getting around the net to score some greasy goals. But it was great to see him get one for sure."
