How the unlikely duo of Tyler Bertuzzi and John Tavares became the Maple Leafs' Bert and Ernie

LOS ANGELES—If captain and winger keep playing this well together, Tavares may have to adopt the nickname Ernie to go along with Bertuzzi's Bert. Because much like , the two polar opposites in personality have become inseparable on the ice. Tavares is stoic, no nonsense, a straight shooter. If you asked artificial intelligence for a description of a hockey player, Tavares would be the model.

Bertuzzi has long, wild hair. He tapes his stick oddly. His smile with a missing tooth ought to be trademarked. He is among the first NHLers to wear a neck guard. He even looks a bit like a muppet. TSN hockey analyst Mike Johnson compared his esthetic to that of “an unmade bed.” If AI created Bertuzzi's profile as that of a hockey player, you'd say the algorithm was broken.

When Tavares and Bertuzzi are on the ice together, good things happen for the Leafs. “It's a joy to play with (Bertuzzi),” Tavares said. “He's shown why he's a very good player. His hockey sense is through the roof. Very crafty, unique in how he earns pucks back and gains body position.

“He puts himself in situations to make plays and make things happen. He's good in between the dots and around the net front and in tight areas. Makes those little plays that extend possessions and create opportunities.” As an example, Bertuzzi set up Calle Järnkrok's power play goal Tuesday against Los Angeles having lost his glove earlier in the shift.

“If there was ever a guy that was going to make the play looking a little bit odd with just one glove on, he would be my pick,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “He stays in the battle and makes plays.” The Tavares line plays mostly in the opposition end. He and Bertuzzi hound pucks aggressively, by either wearing down the opposition or simply winning the puck battles, and they are complemented nicely by the playmaking ability of , or occasionally Mitch Marner.

“(Tavares is) very easy to play with,” Bertuzzi said. “Very hard working. Always in the right spots. I think we support each other well and feed off the energy we bring. It's fun to play with him.” That's why Keefe has had them play more together than any other forward pair with 381 minutes at 5 on 5 (compared to 340 between Auston Matthews and Marner), according to .

When Tavares and Bertuzzi are on the ice at even strength, the Leafs are plus 6 (16 10) and are even better at expected goals (22 expected goals for, 17 expected against). Matthews and Marner are at plus 5 (20 15) with expected goals at 17 15. “Both guys below the dots are dogs on a bone,” Keefe said.

“Good sticks. Bert, he doesn't get nearly enough credit for his ability to make plays in tight spaces, down below the dots especially. And then John is so good around the net.” Nylander, too, is integral to the line's success. Not just for his ability to score. “Nylander drives the puck down the rink and gets them to those spots,” Keefe said.

“Willy himself puts the puck at the net where those guys live. So I think it's a good trio.”.