Toronto Maple Leafs Are Slumping, but There’s No Reason to Worry
By James Tanner
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the St.Louis Blues last night.
The game was in hand, the Toronto Maple Leafs were up 1-0 with under a minute to play……but it was not to be. The Blues scored, and then after William Nylander failed to capitalize on an OT breakaway, the Blues won the game.
In the big scheme of things, it’s no big deal. The Leafs – even though they didn’t play particularly well – still almost won the game. Some things are rightfully driving some people crazy (Polak; Hyman starting overtime; Matthews not on the ice in the final minute protecting a lead; Marner playing so little; Komarov playing so much), but at the same time, the Leafs remain kind of awesome.
It’s a little amazing how quickly we got used to having three of the best young players in the world and started complaining (and I include myself in this). This doesn’t mean that analysis isn’t useful, or that it’s not worth getting angry or annoyed sometimes, it just means that, with a wider perspective, the team’s current problems don’t really matter. The Leafs have a very good chance to contend this year, and even if a Cup doesn’t materialize, they’ve got a great opportunity to go deep in the playoffs. They’re spinning their wheels now, but it’s also game 45 of an 82 game season – it’s a grind.
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Leafs Are Good; Will Get Better
The Leafs lost a one goal game to a team of similar skill and quality. They lost in overtime, no less. They allowed over 40 shots, continuing their run as one of the NHL’s worst shot-suppressing units, their coach made some questionable choices, the team can’t seem to score and everyone is going crazy.
Or so it seems. I think Twitter and 24/7 sports channels just amplify everything so it seems that way. In reality, I don’t think anyone really thinks there’s anything wrong with the Leafs besides normal pit-stops on the path to developing a winner.
The Leafs haven’t won a game in regulation since December 28th. At the same time, in the eight games since then, they’ve managed to get points in five of them.
HabsFan vs. LeafsFan: S02E22. Link: https://t.co/0ww1ljuqoW. Guests: @OLW93, @baltimoredavey, @James_Tanner123. Roman Polak's new film, the heroism of Carey Price, Babcock's lament, and maudlin Marincin. @kamalrehman10, @FSAWinningHabit, @Puck_Prose, @EditorinLeaf. #Habs #Leafs pic.twitter.com/bCDFmBlgPu
— Ari Shapiro (@ari_shapiro) January 15, 2018
The Toronto Maple Leafs have some issues. But they don’t have any major issues that can’t be addressed. Mike Babcock has earned at least some latitude when it comes to what look to me like a series of terrible coaching decisions. The team is all but guaranteed a playoff spot, they have assets and salary cap space to spend.
They don’t have Nikita Zaitsev in the lineup. Matthews, Marner and Nylander are at a fraction of their potential. Hainsey is still on the top line. The team doesn’t even play Leivo or Kapanen.
Next: This Is Not Playoff Hockey
Things are a bit boring right now, but they’re going to get very good, very soon for the Leafs. There’s no need to worry.