Bertuzzi has been skating on a line with Matthews and Marner throughout camp, and last night seemed to gel well with the top duo, scoring his first preseason goal as a Leaf against his former club.
"I thought today was Bertuzzi's best game. Not just because of the goal, but I just thought he had a little more pace. And I thought that line was a little more connected, especially as the game went on. That third period was our best period, and the best period for that line. So that's encouraging." - Keefe on Bertuzzi's performance against Detroit
"I think each game, practice, each day, it's just been getting better. It's going to take a little bit of time, but I think we're starting to get a feel for each other out there, starting to create more offence and have extended offensive-zone shifts, where we're really working the puck down low and wearing on their team." - Matthews on Bertuzzi
Bertuzzi Cementing Himself in the Top Line After Performance
Despite Bertuzzi's performance last season, only scoring 8 goals and 22 assists, he has the skill and toughness to play on the top line with Marner and Matthews, filling the hole left by former first-liner Michael Bunting.
This depends on if he can build chemistry with Marner and Matthews, something Keefe thinks he has no trouble doing.
Keefe on Bertuzzi: "He plays with good players. He meshes with them well. He doesn't get enough credit for his ability to make plays"
Tyler on mindset w/ 34-16: "I'll still be in front of the net, trying to create space for them & let them do their thing"