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The 10’s Club: Leafs drain the Oil |
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Another two points added to their total and the new look Leafs are cruising along with a two game win streak and a chance to make it three tonight when they face the Calgary Flames.
The Maple Leafs are just one point back of a playoff spot and are doing a much better job lately at securing a lead heading into the third period. Toronto has been excellent this season at scoring not only the first goal, but early in the first period. Mike Babcock has done a great job at having the surging Leafs ready for puck drop each game. The energy the Leafs have shown in the first periods this year has been a very good sign of a hungry team that wants to improve each game and win in doing so. It seems the days of being down 1-0 after 5 minutes is something of the past; thank you Freddie Andersen.
It was a memorable night in Edmonton as the Leafs took it to the Oilers in both matchups this season, making life difficult for McDavid. Toronto had three players reach their ten goal milestones last night in James van Riemsdyk, Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri.
When you see three different players on three different lines score their tenth goals each; that has to be a good sign. Wouldn’t you think? Babcock has a very effective approach when it comes to his lineups; it seems he’s been able to spread the talent out enough that on any given night one line could take advantage of a matchup from the opposing team. Eight million is a lot of cake for a coach; Babcock is sure doing a good job at earning his keep.
Points Leaders:
JVR – 19
Marner – 19
Matthews – 18
Kadri – 17
Nylander – 16
Bozak – 16
The bolded shows three leafs rookies who are all in the scoring race and who should all be a big part of the Leafs successful future. It’s a great time to be a Leafs fan these days, a lot of encouragement and positivity coming out of Leafs Nation. Toronto’s upper management must be thrilled with the results and their decision to build the team properly and put their trust into Brendan Shanahan.
The ‘Shanaplan’ may be a book written in ten years from now on how the Toronto Maple Leafs finally got back on track.
Toronto ventures into Calgary tonight on a back-to-back and will face the Flames. Calgary is 10-13-2 and has had quite a bit of success as of late when they changed their goaltending situation by playing Chad Johnson who seems to have run away with the starting job. Brian Elliott has struggled mightily this season posting an abysmal .885 save % and a 3.31 GAA. Johnson on the other hand has a .922 and 2.23 GAA but is coming off a five goal barrage from the Flyers just three nights ago.
Johnny Gaudreau is still hurt for the Flames and is one of their most offensively gifted players. The Leafs will have to concentrate on shutting down Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan as well as be aware of the offensive defensemen that Calgary has, particularly Dougie Hamilton and Mark Giordano. Michael Frolik leads the Flames in points with 14 and Sam Bennett is right behind him with 12.
Even if it’s a back-to-back on the road with Jhonas Enroth in net, I feel the Leafs have an excellent chance at taking their third straight victory tonight and giving the Flames a lot of issues with their haste like speed. The Leafs are flying right now! Personally I hope that Babcock gives Andersen the nod tonight and let's him continue his domination as he's red hot. After all, the Leafs have two nights off in a row after tonight's game and that should give Andersen plenty of time to rest.
There have been some rumors swirling around that Toronto and Calgary are discussing a potential trade. Perhaps the scouts will see what they like or don't like and it will be enough to move the trade forward or squash it for the time being.
Enjoy the game and let’s hope the boys can make it three in a row!
Toronto plays against Vancouver on Saturday night.
Thanks for reading.
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • 
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