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How about them young buds?

January 16, 2017, 3:57 PM ET [313 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Last week seemed like it was such a long week as there were no Maple Leafs games until Friday night. As Leafs Nation and its fans waited patiently, the young Leafs team was nothing but impressive when they stuck it to Lundqvist and the New York Rangers on Friday, and followed suit with another impressive win against Ottawa on Saturday. Those are four huge points as the Leafs are really solidifying themselves as one of the fastest and most dangerous teams to face in the Eastern Conference!

This week the Leafs will be back to having a normal schedule, playing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night. The opponents for the week include Buffalo (Tuesday) and a rematch from last week when Toronto faces the Rangers and Senators. It would be something else if Toronto could cash in versus Buffalo and then rinse and repeat their performances from last weekend with a couple more big wins over New York and Ottawa. What’s amazing is that I have faith the Leafs can do just that! This is last year’s thirtieth place team, dead last, and here they are in a top three Division spot with games in hand and the confidence to continue their winning ways.

Leafs Nation is heating up!!

The Maple Leafs are 8-1-1 in their last ten and if it wasn’t for the Washington Capitals and their winning ways the Leafs would be the hottest team in the NHL right now. At 41 games the Leafs are sitting dead smack in the middle of their season and what a season it has been thus far. With the number of shootout losses and blown third periods, 48 points in 41 games is just a mirage, the Buds could easily be on pace for 100+ points. Those are the breaks though when you are building up a team. I wouldn’t change anything, that’s how the boys are going to learn, the hard way; just like the rest of us.

Babcock has these kids playing in a system that will help them succeed; he’s also got everyone skating with confidence and a lot of it. Now that they have added McElhinney it seems that Andersen will get some much needed rest with all of these back-to-back games. I for one am totally fine with this master plan as he looked fantastic in his Maple Leafs debut. Good eye Lou Lamoriello!

With the Leafs moving forward and patching up the road left behind it seems the winning ways are finally here. Lately I’ve been expecting the Leafs to score the first goal. I’m expecting one of Matthews, Nylander or Marner to score a goal and or make a few dazzling plays. Without question I have been expecting Andersen to make those big saves and smother the rebound, things are changing in Toronto. The Maple Leafs is a legit team…and yet, so young! The beginning of the glory days are here, it’s long overdue but here nevertheless!

Enjoy it. The whole ride, even if there are a few hiccups along the way. The Leafs are in a playoff spot, prime the trumpets and wet the reeds for the saxophones, whatever you have to do, make it count, make it rain!

I think it’s safe to say I have Leafs Nation fever right now.

Optimism is in the air! Do you remember when Babcock said that Matthews would be an elite talent by Christmas? Well Santa came early because our boy Auston has been off the charts for a month straight and he has no plans of slowing down!

Snazzy Nazy has been showing off his soft hands lately chipping in goals and flustering the opponent with his antics. On any given night one of the Nation’s lines is firing on full cylinders and Babcock spreads the wealth accordingly.

Connor Brown simply can’t stop scoring!! Brown-town, Brown-cow, Big-Browner…let’s hear them, what else is brewing?!

Let’s hope the Leafs are as fired up for their game tomorrow as I am right now. I’d like to see someone sit Eichel on the ground and officially welcome him to Toronto.

Thanks for reading, have a great night and enjoy this week’s games!

Go Leafs Go!!
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