The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the All-Star break with a record of 28-15-5.
This record puts the Toronto Maple Leafs comfortably in third place in the Atlantic. It’s been an up and down year so far for the Leafs – their record is likely better than it technically should be, if we account for luck, injuries, and the team’s overall play.
That’s not a bad thing, however. You need to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good. No shame in out-pacing your play in the standings. Especially when you’ve got a second half of the season that features way more home games, more rest days, four games against the Sabres and – we are hoping – a more healthy lineup.
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The Leafs have done pretty well this year when you consider that three of their best players, Matthews, Rielly and Zaitsev, have combined to miss 31 games.
Second Half Optimism
There are only 31 games left in the season, so its not exactly the ‘second half,’ but regardless, the Leafs are primed for a good run.
Nazem Kadri, Mitch Marner and William Nylander have all seen themselves go on prolonged scoreless streaks this season.
Kadri can’t get assists when his main partner is the inoffensive Leo Komarov, and their main job is shutting down the opposition.
Both Marner and Nylander have had terrible luck when it comes to shooting percentage – something a player at the NHL level has zero control of. All three of these players will score more going forward than they have to date, and that is a guarantee.
When Rielly and Zaitsev comeback, it will be like the Leafs – who’ve really been playing well in the last few games – are adding two star players in a trade. The fact that team did so well without two of its best defenseman out of the lineup is a testament to what they can eventually be.
The Leafs have underwhelmed for much of this year, but I think people underrate them. They have more offensive firepower than any team in the NHL and they have a great goalie.
Better than Tampa
You can call me a homer, you can call me unrealistic, but I think that once Tampa cools down from their insane PDO bender, they aren’t a much better team than the Leafs.
Before this season, would anyone have said Vasilesky is better than Andersen? I would say Matthews and Nylander is just as good as Stamkos and Kucherov, and while the Leafs don’t have a Hedman, they do have a better overall group of defenseman. And a better coach.
People always overrate experience, and i think the Leafs will prove that come playoff time. The East is very weak and primed for the taking. The Toronto Maple Leafs can skate any team into the ground and have so many weapons and ways to beat you that I wouldn’t want to face them in a seven game series.
Remember, a worse, younger Leafs team almost beat the Washington Captials last year, and there isn’t team in the NHL right now even close to as good as last year’s Capitals.
Next: The Leafs Biggest Disappointment
A Stanley Cup this spring is not out of the question.