Another late-season game, another piece of offensive contribution from Bo Groulx.
Recalled by the Maple Leafs from the Toronto Marlies on March 10, Groulx continues to make the most of his opportunity.
With an assist on a goal by Dakota Joshua in the Leafs’ 4-3 overtime loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena, Groulx has five points (three goals and two assists) in six games. That equals the point total he had in 65 games in parts of three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks from 2021-24.
“I know what I can do at this level,” Groulx said afterward. “If I can work on my faceoff game a little bit and recognize the situation defensively a little bit faster, I think I can be a good player in this league.
“Confidence is everything. If you come into a game and you’re not confident, you’re going to make a mistake that you usually would not and you’re going to be hesitant. I feel like right now I’m playing free-minded out there.”
What Groulx, under contract through the end of next season, is doing amounts to a tryout with the Leafs. He very well might have to start from scratch in training camp in September to make a similar positive impression on a new coach, but the foundation he is setting continues to firm up.
Getting carried away with fully judging a player now, considering the Leafs’ lowly place in the standings, would be foolish. But the impact that Groulx has been making is better than the alternative, which would be to play on the perimeter and not be noticeable at all.
Bright spot
After putting up 50 points with the Marlies in 54 games, including 27 goals, the 26-year-old Groulx’s quickness and offensive smarts have been a bright spot for the moribund Leafs.
“He seems to have a good sense of where to be and getting the puck in good spots and not trying to over-complicate things,” Leafs centre John Tavares said. “Take the plays that are there. He has some good legs and a really good release. He’s capitalizing, which has been great for us.”
Now, it’s on to Ottawa as the Leafs take on the Senators on Saturday night in the latest Battle of Ontario. The Leafs are out of the Eastern Conference picture but they can put a large dent in the Sens’ playoff aspirations with a regulation victory.
For Groulx, it will be akin to a home game, having grown up across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Que.
The match will mark the second of his NHL career in Ottawa. Groulx played there once with the Ducks in February 2024, and by his telling, he didn’t play well in a 5-1 Anaheim win. He expects to put on a better show for the estimated 20 family members and friends who will be in the Canadian Tire Centre to watch him.
“It means a lot,” Groulx said. “It’s always a special game.”
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