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Maple Leafs deep offense is rolling hot and heavy

October 20, 2017, 2:47 PM ET [82 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
With a league leading 34 goals the Leafs are playing some excellent offensive hockey. Of course we fans are still somewhat concerned with the Maple Leafs defense, but that should stabilize as the season goes on. If not we may see Lou Lamoriello get an itchy trigger finger and make a deal to improve the back end.

At this point in the season it’s far too early to make any rash moves since the Leafs are off to such a great start overall. A few mistakes and cough ups here and there hasn’t cost the boys in blue and white any points. Whenever they have lost one of their commanding leads to a couple goals in a row they seem to bounce back with a quick goal of their own.

Right now the Leafs depth up front is so deep we have Marner on the fourth line playing with his buddy Matt Martin. The two have become pretty tight since Marner made his way up to the team last season as a youngster and assist machine. Perhaps Marner can get the odd matchup against the other teams fourth line and work some magic and give the Leafs more offensive threat from their fourth line.

Connor Brown has not only earned a spot on the JVR-Bozak line but he’s relishing the opportunity with hard work and productivity to go with it. Brown scored 20 goals last year with very limited opportunity and has really turned some heads with his overall game continuing to get better and better. I’m not sure what Babcock has in mind with Marner, but with Brown playing the way he has it seems to be working out for the best. I just hope this doesn’t affect Mitch Marner in a negative way; at least he’s still a staple on the Leafs power play with his extremely high skill and creativity with the puck.

The Leafs have won three games in a row and will venture to Ottawa for Saturday night’s battle versus the Senators. The Senators will start to gain some confidence now that they have Karlsson back in the mix patrolling their blue line. They are currently sitting third in the Atlantic Division with nine points in seven games (3-1-3).

Next week the Leafs play three home games; Los Angeles on Monday night, Carolina on Thursday and Philadelphia on Saturday. The following week they will be on a road trip against San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles and St Louis. So far the Leafs are 3-0 on the road but will be in tough with a number of decent teams to play against and the games starting later than their normal 7 or 7:30 puck drops.

It’s always a tight game against the Senators, last year Matthews scored four goals in the first game of the season against the Sens and you can bet he will be eager to light the lamp in Ottawa when the Leafs have their first “battle of Ontario” of the season.

Matthews has six goals and four assists in 7 games and a +10 rating. He’s certainly off to a great start, phenomenal even! His partner in crime William Nylander has 2 goals and 5 assists and also a +10 rating. Lastly Zach Hyman has 3 goals and 2 assists through 7 games and a +6 rating. This line has been deadly and is certainly been a key to the Leafs success in the early going of the season.

Enjoy the game on Saturday night,

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.

Go Leafs Go!
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