Toronto Maple Leafs: Thoughts From the California Road Trip

The Toronto Maple Leafs embarked on their three game Californian road trip this week to face the state’s three teams. They return to the ACC with a whopping 0-3 record.

The games were horrific to watch as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan to say the least. The Leafs were unable to get the wins they needed during a crucial time as the regular comes to a close, and they will feel the consequences in the standings. The team has now went five straight games without a regulation win and things have to start picking up quickly.

It was a rough week for the blue and white in which there were many bad takeaways, but there were also some positives. Here’s what I took away from the stretch.

1) Lineup and play time shakeups need to happen

Mike Babcock is playing some players far more than other skillful players for reasons unheard of.

For example, Zach Hyman got about 21 minutes of ice time against the Kings, playing more time than Nazem Kadri (16:52) and William Nylander (18:49). Zach Hyman got these minutes because he has no doubt been playing great with Auston Matthews, and his style of play along the boards was perfect to matchup against the Kings.

Toronto Maple Leafs

I have no issue with Hyman getting those minutes, I just think other players could be deployed much better. Babcock needs to start rewarding the players who have actually been consistently getting things done with more time. Play skillful players with other skillful players.

Matthews and Nylander have a possession rating of 55.8% together, which is great. As a result, Nylander should be deployed with Matthews and Hyman more. Just a thought I have that could be tried out at this point, as it can only go upward from here.

2) The Toronto Maple Leafs need to stop blowing leads.

In each of their last three games, the Toronto Leafs have had at least one lead in the second period. And in each of these three games, they allowed the opponent to score and ultimately win the game. The Leafs have been doing this far too much this season, and it’s making them suffer. It’s agonizing to watch games that the Leafs could have won slowly crumble and slip away from their grasp. Consistency is key, and the Leafs have been struggling with it all season.

3) Shootouts suck, but we have to get over it.

Everyone has developed a strong hate towards the shootout now since the Leafs are 1-8 in the skills competition. 3-on-3 overtime is exciting and intense. Fans love it, and it keeps the game competitive. But the fact that we only get five minutes of it, until a shootout partially based on luck decides the game, is absurd.

The Leafs have pretty good chances to win in overtime. Shootouts that decide crucial games are frustrating things for both fans and players. A shootout only partially prove that a team deserves to win a game. A team can play so well throughout an entire game, but one lucky bounce can end their hopes just like that. It needs to go.

4) The schedule doesn’t get any easier

The season is reaching it’s final stretch, and if anything the Leafs have to step their game up even more. Taking a look at the Leafs schedule this month, half of their games to close out March are against divisional rivals. The Atlantic Division race is closer than ever right now, and winning these games are what will decide if Toronto makes the playoffs or not. The work isn’t done yet, it’s just starting after this recent stretch.

5) It’s not too late to bounce back

With that said, the Leafs still have over a month of the season left to go. The Leafs are currently just one point out of the second Eastern wild card spot  and two points out of third in the Atlantic. With a handful of games left the Leafs should stay optimistic about their playoff chances. But of course, with this optimism is the need to perform. The Leafs still have time, and if they can bounce back quickly their season is far from over.