The Maple Leafs who were on a tear for a good chunk of February have struggled to put up a win in their last three games. Who better to get the engine purring than the lowly Sabres? One could say Montreal or Ottawa, but we don’t want to kick the dead horse too many times.

Toronto has 15 games remaining in the regular season and has amassed 85 points thus far. Simple math shows the Leafs can hit the 100 point mark if they can match a point per game down the final stretch. I for one think they will end up around 105 or so and we will see a nice push when Matthews returns to the lineup.

It’s a slow week for the Leafs with only two games to play, tonight in Buffalo and Saturday Toronto hosts Pittsburgh.

Unless something crazy happens, it looks like the blue and white will have a chance to redeem themselves and knock out the Boston Bruins in round one of the playoffs. Tampa Bay seems to be the favorite after the trade deadline and we can be thankful for such a quality season that the Leafs don’t have to face them in round one. Like I said, unless something crazy happens like a meltdown from one of the three Atlantic Division powerhouses the Leafs and Bruins will battle it out. As of now the Bruins have the advantage for home ice with 3 points and 4 games in hand on the Buds.

Obviously the Leafs will be a better team when Matthews returns as he brings so much to the table in each aspect of the game. The opposition has to pay so much attention to Auston that it opens up ice for the other skilled offensive players. We really saw the Kadri-Marner connection ignite when the Matthews-Nylander combo was being the focal point of the opponent. It’s important that when Matthews does return to the Leafs lineup that he is 100%. The Leafs need their star to be on his game before the playoffs begin, I really hope we see Matthews back in the lineup so he can be at his best come game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Last year the Leafs gave the Capitals their best but ultimately failed. This team is better all round and have learned a lot over another season under the order of Mike Babcock. They are going to have more confidence and more experience (Marleau, Hainsey) and not having such a large magnitude of rookies in the lineup. The team is so young and has so much skill; with a confident Andersen in the net the Leafs really could cause some damage in the post season.

Look for Freddie to man the fort tonight in Buffalo.

Enjoy your day, and go Leafs go!

note: Is anyone else still blinded by the Leafs jersey's from the outdoor game?

Thanks for reading.

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