The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off an irritating shootout loss versus the Kings last night. These late games are slowly killing me and my schedule, but the shootout and third periods are quickly ruining the Leafs chances of a surprise playoff run.
Looking back to this time last year it was a total gong show. Shanahan and Lamoriello have really changed the franchise around, moving out players, bringing in players and of course drafting Auston Matthews. Without question Matthews is one of Toronto’s franchise players and one I hope they can hold onto until his career is done. Sure that’s a lot of want considering we are in season one of Matthews career, but he’s just that good and makes the players around him that much better.
Auston Matthews is Captain material and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see the C on his chest as early as next season.
So here we are with 19 games left in the season in the month of March and the Leafs are legitimately in the playoff hunt. I admit they are doing better than I thought but I did think they would be in mix just not as much of a force as they have been this season.
That alone is something special considering where we have been for years. Of course I will be disappointed if Toronto doesn’t make the playoffs, we all will be. But it’s a good time of the season to take a look at where the team has been in recent history and where they are now. Leaps and bounds have been made this season and I feel it’s the start of something big to come in time. That’s exactly what the Leafs young players need, time and success in the process. A playoff run would be a great confidence boost and of course the experience that goes hand-in-hand with it.
Just about every Maple Leafs fan knows at this point we need some work on the back end. Our defense needs improvement and in time you can bet that Lamoriello and Shanahan will address the situation. It’s obvious by the players moved at trade deadline that there were no great options for the Leafs and standing pat until the off season is and will be the right decision.
There is hope for Toronto filling their defensive needs as it’s an expansion year and with all of the salary room the Leafs will have on top of the franchise trending up; we fans may be pleasantly surprised and happy we waited until the off-season before paying a premium for a quality defenseman.
The Leafs will face former goaltender Jonathan Bernier tonight and as expected McElhinney will be in net for the Buds. Randy "the toaster" Carlyle will be barking from behind the Ducks bench as well, I'm really hoping for glorious victory.
Enjoy the game, tonight’s is a big one and would be a huge win after losing in a shootout to the Kings last night. If victorious in tonight’s matchup Toronto will be tied with the Bruins for third spot in the Atlantic Division.
It sure is a great thing having meaningful hockey in March.
Go Leafs Go!
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend.