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Maple Leafs tuck the Canucks to bed; Flames next

December 11, 2019, 10:13 AM ET [188 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This trip out West is just what the doctor ordered. The Leafs seem to have woken up since the coaching change and are now starting to build some chemistry as the injury bug has been put aside for the most part (Andreas Johnsson). We’re seeing some smiles and it looks as if the boys are starting to have some fun.

Matthews continues to put the puck in the net and Captain John Tavares is heating up in a big way. Tip master himself; Tavares seems to have the eye of the tiger out there. But a big reason to the Leafs victory last night was the stellar goaltending of Frederik Andersen. How many breakaways does the Danish wall have to stop! Andersen is also starting to catch fire as the Leafs begin to build some momentum under Keefe. It’s a perfect little storm brewing here for the Buds, let’s keep it rolling.

Andersen has been putting up career numbers. He’s 15-7-3 with a .921 save % and 2.64 GAA with one shutout. These stats are better than he’s put up any season with the Leafs or Ducks, it’s safe to say Andersen is the real deal. The Leafs will be relying heavily upon Andersen going forward, I can’t see them resting him very much as they are outside of where they want to be right now in the standings and Hutchinson, well, he’s been brutal. The Leafs are going to have to hope Andersen is ready for the mother of all work loads because unless they make a trade, I really can’t see it any other way!

The Leafs may catch a break as it looks as if Tkachuk is injured for the Flames. He missed last night’s game and he is a key piece to the Flames success. It would be a nice little bonus if Calgary was missing their most gritty/skilled player come Thursday’s game (9 PM EST).

Calgary is sitting third place in the Pacific Division at 17-12-4. Their record is slightly better than the Leafs but I’m a firm believer the Leafs are the better team and they will show it with their third win in a row which would bring them to 7-3 with Keefe behind the bench.

This is the turning point. No doubt about it.

I’m jacked right up for Saturday’s game against McDavid and the Oilers. If the Leafs can string together three wins in their Western road swing it would be absolutely huge and give the team not only a nice little pump up but get them into the Wild Card mix.

The game plan against Edmonton is pretty simple, just very difficult to do. McDavid and Draisaitl are crushing the league right now. Keep them off the scoresheet and a victory would be almost guaranteed. But first thing’s first and that will be to shutdown the Gaudreau and Monahan connection in Calgary.

Is everyone enjoying the hard work and production of Hyman since his return to the lineup?

What about Keefe? Sure looks like he’s got the boys motivated and playing a game that suits their style of play and uses their strengths more than they were at the start of the season under Babcock.

Let’s keep this quality play up and see where we sit come January. I’m feeling good about a big bounce here off rock bottom which is now almost ten games behind us.

The Leafs are back baby.

Let’s get at it!!

Thanks for reading,
Go Leafs Go!
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