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Borje Salming has been such a positive influence on the Maple Leafs for so many Saturday nights.

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By simply walking to center ice to shoot a puck for it, he was able to bring the building to its feet and — ultimately — inspire his team to a victory. From our newsroom to your midday inbox, the latest headlines, stories, opinions and photos from the Toronto Sun. By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

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That included the six Sweden coaches Sheldon Keefe started in honor of Salming and the rest of the roster demographic, who watched their favorite defenseman struggle with debilitating Lou Gehrig’s disease, but manage to raise their hand to acknowledge one more long applause.

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Fittingly, it was some of those Scandinavians who helped rally the Leafs to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks Keefe hoped at some point during those back-to-back home games, Salming’s appearance would give them a boost. “Anytime you have your own alumni (honored) and you see the reaction of the fans, you see the reaction of our players, you feel part of the family, part of the legacy,” Keefe said. “You see how important, how effective the players can be in our city.

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“Borje is obviously a legend here. It’s one thing to see his name (on a retired No. 21 banner at Scotiabank Arena ), on Legends Row, or to see the person here and at this stage in his life. It’s a different era of Leaf fans, but it’s still here. “It’s not just to honor Borje’s legacy, it’s all part of their own legacy and you want to be remembered.” Former Toronto Maple Leaf Borje Salming, with his wife Pia, is honored during a pregame ceremony before the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on November 11, 2022 in Toronto. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images After seeing the reception for Salming at Friday’s Hall of Fame game, Keefe tapped the Swedes first for his Toronto tribute and read them before the game — William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok, Pierre Engvall forward, Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin in defense, Erik Kallgren in net. “We all just looked at each other, we were just smiling,” Sandin said. “We all talked about it, that it was hard for all of us to hold back the tears tonight and yesterday. Victory tonight was definitely for Borge.”

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It would have been picture-perfect if one of the five skaters scored in that opening shift, as they were the last Leafs to punch Salming as he and his family walked off the ice after an emotional video tribute to his two decades in the Gardens era. Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau, Salming’s onetime roommate, did his part for the opening faceoff by sending in Oliver Ekman-Larson for Salming’s ceremonial fall with Nylander. Still, the Leafs were quickly down two – a missed draw by Engvall with Bo Horvat getting away from Justin Holl and snaring a Luke Schenn shot. Michael Bunting’s revenge penalty helped JT Miller make it 2-0. But after Auston Matthews made a splash with a power play goal, Tre Kronor’s vibe took hold on the bench, Engvall completed a nice forecheck with help from Liljegren and Jarnkrok.

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It also took some time for the Leafs to get used to new lines and defensive partners. Keefe split Matthews and Mitch Marner 5-on-5, as well as John Tavares and Nylander. Engvall and Nylander helped with a strong drive that led to defenseman Jordie Benn’s game-winner midway through the second, leaping to run in a rebound on the backboard. It was his first game as a Leaf after an early season injury as he finally returned with a sore TJ Brodie taking a night off. Jordie Benn scores his first goal as a Maple Leaf against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Scotiabank Arena on November 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) Benn, without a goal since Jan. 22 when he was with the Minnesota Wild, joked that he didn’t know what to do next until Matthews hugged him. “I told the guys to stick with it, find another level,” Keefe said of being down 2-0. “To me, we looked like the fresher, faster team in the third despite the back-to-back and a third with the lead as long as we’ve played (three penalty kills).”

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Given the choice between using Kallgren on back-to-back days, playing Matt Murray a little ahead of schedule from a groin injury that is healing or risking rookie Keith Petruzzelli, Keefe said Kallgren still had fuel and that the new lines would create roughly a 5-on-5 offense. The night before, Kallgren did a creditable job against the Penguins before allowing a weak game-winning goal. Murray is now set to start against his old team, where he won two Stanley Cups, in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Ilya Samsonov, who played so well in place of Murray last month, is still out with a knee injury. Kahlgren, who made 27 saves, now has two wins in eight games, with three of those losses coming in overtime. “A big win and a big night in many ways,” Kallgren said. “It was emotional.” [email protected]

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