When the season begun, there was a lot of hype around the additions of Matthews and Marner. Zaitsev was also intriguing as he was more of an unknown and a defenseman, something the Maple Leafs so desperately need as they move forward.
With all the excitement about the injection of youth up front, Andersen was able to lay back and prepare himself for the season. After an injury leading into the World Cup and a rough start in his first few games of the season, he’s bounced back with four absolute gems in a row. Freddie has put up some great numbers for Toronto as they have been shelled with shots as of late, but come out with six points out of a possible eight.
Posting a .935 save percent against Florida, followed by a .935 against Montreal, .957 against Edmonton and a whopping .977 save percent against Buffalo last night. Andersen has certainly proved his worth with a number of extremely high ends saves, ones we will be seeing in the highlight reels all season; he’s been that spectacular as of late.
Eichel watched from the sidelines on his scooter while the Leafs got a rare win in Buffalo.
Toronto has suddenly found themselves right in the middle of the pack after eleven games. It’s been an up and down start for the young Leafs and an incredibly exciting start to the season. If they can continue this pace for the remaining 71 games it will be a tight race to the finish line.
How about Babcock sticking behind his number one goaltender?
The media was all over him, Andersen himself knew he was playing below average for his level of hockey. So what’s the best coach in the NHL do? He backs his future goalie, rides him game after game ensuring he gets into the flow and back on track. That’s how it’s done, and the Toronto media will have to get used to a coach who doesn’t take any crap from anyone asking stupid questions with a microphone in their hand.
It’s a marathon not a sprint for Babcock and his Maple Leafs, that’s why it’s best to just enjoy each game as we watch the prospects grow and ripen together.
On any given night it seems there are a handful of forwards on the Leafs who could step on the ice and put on a show. We’ve seen it from Matthews, Nylander, Marner and Kadri in the early goings of the season and some excellent support from Brown, Martin and a glimpse of what Soshnikov can bring. The process has already begun and the results are starting to trickle in, the Shanaplan is unfolding most gloriously.
Marner and Bozak had a beautiful give-and-go goal to get the Leafs on the board; it was an accurate and crisp pass that Bozak gave to Marner in tight and he made no mistake and buried it. Mitch Marner wasn’t done yet as he gave the Leafs a 2-0 lead when he stuffed in his own rebound as he squeaked through the four Sabres in the crease. It was an excellent night for the Leafs rookie who has five points in his last five games.
It’s really been an impressive start for the Matthews, Nylander and Marner. I could see any one of these stallions winning rookie of the year, they are that impressive.
After the display Kadri put on against Edmonton I thought, what if Nazem Kadri could play every game like that for the Leafs going forward? Put he and his line against the oppositions best line, and have Kadri be a pest to their best player and do exactly what he did to McDavid, irritate him and give him no room. It was perfect the way Kadri handled the leagues star in McDavid and hopefully a glimse of what’s to come of Kadri down the road.
Babcock and his Maple Leafs are preparing for Saturday night’s game against the Vancouver Canucks where they go for their third win in a row.
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!