Record At Start Of This Week: 6-5-1
Record at the end of this week: 10-5-1
What a week for the Leafs who are now 8-2 in their last ten games and sit second in the Atlantic division. The core four are on fire and depth guys like Bunting, Kase and Kampf are showing up as well. The Leafs started the week off to a bad start, losing 5-1 to the Los Angeles Kings but then they won their next three during the week beating the Flyers 3-0, then they beat the Flames 2-1 in overtime and then finished off the week with a 5-4 win over the Sabres.
Matthews, Marner and Tavares finally showed up and are on fire now putting most of the team on their back, scoring most of the goals for the team. People have been on them for their slow start and rightfully so, when you’re taking up as much of the salary cap as they are you need to perform so the team can get the right results. The team is looking like they’re having more fun than before their streak and everybody is clicking. Tavares has 15 points in 15 games, Matthews has 12 points in 13 games and Marner has 14 points in 16 games. All three are around a point per game and have bumped their play up to another level and they need to continue this. Depth pieces are also looking pretty good, Kase has four goals in 16 games and has been a great addition to this team creating a lot of chances and has been able to score a few goals already. Bunting has played 16 games and scored four goals and three assists for seven points. Not only has Bunting been effective offensively but he also brings a physical presence and also gets under guy’s skin as well as drawing penalties and Nick Ritchies while not getting the results but has had a good past few games.
The blue line has been better over this hot stretch and one guy that has stood out to me is Jake Muzzin. Muzzin has had a tough start, much like the rest of the team, but in the past few games I think he’s started to play better and is getting closer to playing like we know he can and that is very encouraging to see. The Sandin – Liljegren pairing has been great so far and it’s good for both of their developments that they’re playing NHL minutes, especially for Liljegren who, before this, hasn’t had very much experience in the NHL. The defence has been without Justin Holl who has been a healthy scratch for a little bit but he had his chance to get back in the lineup and he looked much better. It’s fantastic that the Leafs have seven capable defensemen in their lineup and this type of depth on the back end hasn’t been this good in the Matthews era.
Joseph Woll got his first NHL start in the 5-4 win over Buffalo. Statistically, it doesn’t look like a great night but I can’t really solely pin any of the goals on him, the Leafs were sloppy against the Sabres and Woll also made big saves in key moments. Moving onto Jack Campbell. What a start to the year for Campbell, he has been unbelievable and a key part of this hot streak for the Leafs and hopefully he keeps it up. Campbell looks so locked in right now and aside from one tough game where nobody in front of him showed up against Pittsburgh every game has been a good game for Jack.
The next week coming up the Leafs have Nashville, The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh. Let’s see if this hot streak continues for the Leafs and maybe get some revenge on Pittsburgh? Maybe? Please?