After last night’s game which the Maple Leafs got shutout 2-0 the first thing they need to do is score a goal against this abysmal Red Wings team. The Wild did a good job at blocking shots and keeping the Leafs away from the center of the ice.

There are a few players who are currently under performing on the offensive size of the game. Fan favorite Leo Komarov is surely one of them.

Komarov has been getting a large amount of ice time both 5 on 5 and on special teams while he’s on the power play and penalty killing unit for the Leafs. Personally, I think it’s a bit much ice time for Komarov and I don’t think his raw skill level is enough to warrant him being on the power play. Don’t get me wrong, Leo is still a decent player and is excellent at killing penalties, I just think we have more skilled players who could contribute more offensively when the Leafs have the man advantage; simple as that.

You know who else is a quality penalty killer? Kasperi Kapanen. We found that out last season when Babcock unleashed Kapanen towards the end of the season. Sure his stats were not incredible to the point of where the management said “we need to keep Kasperi up with the big boys 100%”. But they were certainly helpful to the Buds when Kapanen scored some clutch goals, one in the playoffs in overtime and the other to seal the deal with a Maple Leafs playoffs birth.

Kapanen is young, serviceable and cheaper than Komarov. Do I think the Leafs are going to dump “Uncle Leo”? No I don’t, I think that he may get his ice time reduced if things don’t start going his way and the puck doesn’t start to bounce his way. The Leafs have Soshnikov, Kapanen and Leivo waiting for their chance to burst out of their shells and make their mark. They also have Bozak, Komarov and JVR as UFA’s by seasons end.

Could it be the management team clears up some salary now to bring in a defenseman through trade? Bozak makes 4.2 million, Komarov 2.95 and JVR 4.25. It seems crazy to think the Leafs would move James right now with him leading the team in goals, but perhaps Babcock makes some adjustments and we see some movement to spice up the offense and solidify the defense.

The Leafs made a few off season moves to adjust their roster including the additions of Marleau and Moore up front and then Hainsey, Borgman/Rosen on the defensive end.

The management team has had plenty of time to assess the roster and you can bet the phone lines will be getting worked as some teams go into sell mode. Will Lamoriello and the management team look to beef up their roster in the New Year?

McElhinney will be between the pipes tonight as the Leafs travel to Detroit for a rare Friday night game.

McElhinney was fantastic last outing saving 41 for the shutout when the Leafs held onto a 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. It was the fifth start of the season for Curtis and the 34 year old netminder was unstoppable on a back to back game helping the Leafs secure two more points.

The Leafs will likely be without Auston Matthews for the third straight game. It’s a division game and against Babcock’s former team, you can bet the boys will be flying tonight after last night’s performance. Babcock is going to be dialed in for tonight’s matchup as will the Leafs.

Enjoy the game, thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

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