Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 things to watch for against Canadiens

Nick Robertson’s final audition

It is rare to see a second round pick garner as much hype as Nick Robertson has but in this case, it has been deserved considering all the work he has done to this point.

The real question is what the Leafs prospect needs to show to get serious consideration for Game 1 against the Blue Jackets because you can tell there is some hesitancy to put the 18-year-old in the lineup. Against the Canadiens, Robertson’s play will likely sway the coaching staff one way or another.

Robertson’s reputation as a goalscorer has been well documented but playing on the third line with Kasperi Kapanen and Alexander Kerfoot, he will have to show that he can be responsible defensively. It’s also going to be important for him to produce or at least show that he can be a threat on the ice against the toughest competition he’s played so far in his career.

"“He needs to look comfortable. He needs to make an impact on the game, be it through his work ethic and enthusiasm and his ability to create offence and capitalize when he gets chances,” Sheldon Keefe told reporters. “Really looking to see can he look like himself and play what I suspect is going at the highest calibre of game that he’s played in.”"

It should say something that Keefe continues to give Robertson a chance in practice and tried him higher up in the lineup with John Tavares and Auston Matthews. These are important developments considering the Leafs have needed another element in their bottom six which is why Pierre Engvall has seemingly lost his spot on the third line.

All eyes will be on No. 89 and if he delivers (or avoids an underwhelming effort) it will go a long way to establishing himself in the lineup.