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Flopping like a fish out of water; Leafs host Tampa Bay

March 10, 2020, 10:31 AM ET [150 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This season has been like owning a volatile stock. The ups and downs have been one intense see-saw of a ride and has certainly made some fans feel sick along the way. We’ve seen it all season from the Maple Leafs; inconsistent efforts and playing down to their opponent’s skill level. It’s truthfully exhausting.

Toronto’s lucky they are up one point over the Florida Panthers. Both teams have been garbage lately and are barely scraping by as they fight for that third spot in the Atlantic Division. The Leafs for some unforgiving reason have been “going for a Sunday skate” whenever they play a team that should be an easy win. What’s with that? What ever happened to getting amped up for an easy win that the boys can pad their stats and walk over their opponent? The Leafs have forgotten what a couple quick goals against another team can do to their confidence. Likely because they are lacking confidence themselves.

The boys need to rally, they needed more than one single point against three teams at this point of the season. It’s not like it was tough competition against Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. That should have been four points minimum. Well, they only have themselves to blame and here we are in crunch time. So if they want to play some NHL hockey and play to win, here is there chance.

Three big games this week; Tampa Bay, Nashville and Boston.

Could the Leafs get Rielly back tonight? Let’s hope so, without ‘Mo’ in the lineup we have been weak defensively. It’s been a long 23 games without our best defender.

Tampa will be short Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. At minimum, the way I see it the Leafs need to get a point tonight against a Tampa team that has struggled a bit since their big win streak was ended. This will be the first round matchup for Toronto if they can stay ahead of Florida. The Leafs won their last meeting and it would be a good start to a tough week ahead if they can manage to make it two in a row against Kucherov and the Bolts.

After that abysmal road trip, Keefe has reunited Nylander and Matthews, Tavares and Marner and you can bet the Leafs will be relying more than ever on their top six to perform. They better have their foot on the gas or were going to be sucking fumes when Florida passes us in the standings.

Better get on your lucky socks, hat or jersey.

Were going to need it.

Thanks for reading.

Go Leafs Go!
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