Mats Sundin needed just one point last night to match his entire output of last season’s playoff series against the Devils.
With Bobby Holik hounding him throughout the Eastern Conference semifinals, Toronto’s leading goal scorer that season managed just one assist during the Devils’ 4-games-to-2 victory.
While his dreadful performance has stayed in his mind, Sundin planned on redeeming himself when the Maple Leafs and Devils opened the conference semis last night at the Meadowlands.
“It’s something you remember, for sure,” Sundin, a center, said before Game 1. “Once you get a chance to get another shot at it, sure you’re excited about that. I wouldn’t say that has motivated me all year, but it’s a nice chance to get another shot at beating the Devils.”
As Sundin failed the Leafs in that Devils series, his linemates were just as unproductive. Jonas Hogland scored the lone goal for the team’s top line.
However, Sundin’s slightly altered line skated into this series last night with an offensive buzz. In Toronto’s stunning four-game sweep of Ottawa in the opening round, Sundin, Gary Roberts (who took Hogland’s left-wing spot this season) and Steve Thomas combined for four goals and four assists and were a plus-8.
Of course, now they come upon the Devils again, with Holik still getting under opponents’ skins and Scott Stevens still lurking for the big hit.
“It doesn’t feel that long since we were here and got beat out of the playoffs,” said Sundin, who had two goals and two assists against the Senators. “I think everybody’s eager to try and show that we’re a little better than we were last year.”