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Toronto Maple Leafs Get a Double Shot of Good News

By James Tanner

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Toronto Maple Leafs Center John Tavares (91) sets up in front of New York Islanders Goalie Robin Lehner (40) during a game between the New York Islanders and the Calgary Flames on February 26, 2019 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Toronto Maple Leafs Center John Tavares (91) sets up in front of New York Islanders Goalie Robin Lehner (40) during a game between the New York Islanders and the Calgary Flames on February 26, 2019 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Things are looking up for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After getting off to a rough start to the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to continue to turn things around.

First, they beat the Flyers on Saturday to secure three of a possible four points last week.

Then today comes the double shot of good news that John Tavares and Jake Muzzin will both play in tomorrow’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Or, that is to say, they are both expected to play tomorrow.

Toronto Maple Leafs Ready to Roll

Tavares missed seven games so far, but he is expected to play tomorrow night.

Actually, Tavares was originally expected to be back for the Flyers games, so I’m fairly confident that tomorrow he won’t disappoint us.

Without Tavares in the lineup, the Toronto Maple Leafs went 3-2-2, which I guess, all things considered, isn’t half bad.

If those two OT losses went the other way, and they could have, The Leafs would have been 5-2-0 and they’d be on pace for over 100 points and everyone would be happy again.

As it is, there is a completely inappropriate level of angst and frustration with the team, given the extenuating circumstances (injuries, schedule, save percentage).

For some reason people are intent on acting like this team is some veteran laden paper tiger that could never get over the hump.  In reality, the team’s best player is 22 year old and they are in the best situation imaginable for a franchise.

Seriously.

None of their players are old, the entire core is locked up long term, they’ve recently added a hometown hero who is the best UFA in the history of the game, they’re the deepest team in the NHL at centre and right wing, they’ve got a goalie who is one of the best of his generation, and three of the top 30 defenseman in the NHL.

Oh and an amazing prospect system that has Travis Dermott, Justin Holl, Trevor Moore and Dymtro Timashov on the cusp of being effective NHL regulars (or in the case of Dermott, borderline stars) as well as top prospects that would make a last place team jealous (Sandin, Robertson, Liljegren).

So this team, of which we’re lucky to have, has gotten John Tavares back, and, I almost forgot to mention, Jake Muzzin will be back as well.

Muzzin just missed the one game after being injured last week against the Capitals.

Next. 5 Ways to Improve the Toronto Maple Leafs. dark

It’s a double shot of good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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