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Toronto Maple Leafs Continue Their Point Streak, Move Up to 8th Overall

By Joseph Zita

VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 10: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Justin Holl (3) congratulates teammate Goalie Frederik Andersen (31) after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on December 10, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 10: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Justin Holl (3) congratulates teammate Goalie Frederik Andersen (31) after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on December 10, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Devin Manky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs looked to continue their hot streak while entering Winnipeg last night, and they did just that.

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered Winnipeg on an eight game point streak and extended it to nine (8-0-1).

The Leafs hot play of late has been fueled by the ridiculous numbers being posted by all four of their big forwards: Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares.

Last night they also got some depth scoring again last night which contributed in a 6-3 win. With the victory, the Leafs – who have been rocketing up the league standings – are now eighth overall.

Toronto Maple Leafs Handle Business In Winnipeg

The Toronto Maple Leafs scored on five of their first 17 shots, chasing Connor Hellebuyck after two periods.

They jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but soon start to fall asleep in the second half of the first period and the first half of the second.

The second period was dreadful,  and the Leafs got out-shot 23-9 and giving up three goals in those 20 minutes, but somehow managed to score three goals on nine shots, too with two of those goals coming 35 seconds apart.

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the third period up by two (5-3) and getting out shot 37-17, but ultimately scored one more goal in the third to close out the game 6-3 and took another win against the Jets. (Stats from thescore.com)

If Frederik Andersen isn’t in the Vezina conversation at the end of the season, I don’t know what he has to do to be in those conversations. He took care of business last night, stopping 45 of 48 shots from the Jets, and picked up his league leading 21st win of the season.

Andersen’s current stats line of 21-8-4,  a SV% of .916 and a GAA of 2.66 should get him in the Vezina conversation.  He has been the Toronto Maple Leafs MVP all season long.

Meanwhile Andersen is on pace to play 64 games this season, but with Michael Hutchinson picking up back to back wins and gaining more confidence in his game, hopefully Freddie plays around the high 50s low 60s in games instead of mid 60s. (Stats from thescore.com)

Nylander Shines Again

William Nylander  has been on a tear in recent games. In last night’s win Nylander picked up his third three-point game during the Leafs recent point streak.

He picked up two goals and an assist en route to a big 6-3 win, extending his point streak to five games (6G 5A 11 PTS) and even having 15 PTS in his last eight games.

If you think the Hyman-Matthews-Marner line looks great, well the Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander line looks just as great, as they all contributed for six points tonight, with all six coming 5v5.

Adam Brooks suited up for his third game of the NHL regular season, along with Mason Marchment who made his NHL debut last night in Winnipeg.

Brooks set up William Nylander for the game’s first goal, giving Brooks his first NHL point of his career (three games in).

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The Toronto Maple Leafs now improve to 14-4-1 under Sheldon Keefe, and currently on a nine game point streak. They will take on the New York Islanders tomorrow night on Hockey Night In Canada, and look to continue their hot streak against an Islander team that has five losses in their last eight games.

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