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Toronto Maple Leafs: Win Overshadowed by Muzzin’s Injury

By Hannah Feldbloom

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 10: Cody Ceci #83 of the Toronto Maple Leafs checks Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third at the Scotiabank Arena on October 10, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 10: Cody Ceci #83 of the Toronto Maple Leafs checks Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third at the Scotiabank Arena on October 10, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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On February 25, 2020, the Toronto Maple Leafs (33-23-8) beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (40-18-5) 4–3 but lost an important piece of their puzzle in the mix.

After much brouhaha that was reminiscent of “the sky is falling” from Chicken Little, the Toronto Maple Leafs, already missing a good portion of their lineup,  decisively beat the NHL”s best team last night.

Wonder how the Lightning feel losing to a team which lost to their own Zamboni driver?

Unfortunately, Jake Muzzin is now out for four weeks.

The good and the bad for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Not only was this a much needed win for the Leafs after their embarrassing game against Carolina,  but they also crushed the Lightning’s home winning streak. Matthews recorded a new career high and William Nylander continued his ascension to superstar status,  is on pace for 36 goals and 36 assists after surpassing his father’s career high.

It is also important to note that both Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci have recently been on the ice prior to Leafs practice. This likely means their return to the Leafs lineup, and thus their veteran and leadership presence, is close to the horizon.

Injuries have now decimated the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they are missing three of their six starting defensemen, and two of their top three left wingers.

Jake Muzzin, who recently signed a big (and much deserved) contract extension, left the game early with a hand injury.  The Leafs will now play without their two best defensemen for the foreseeable future.

Younger members of the team, such as Rasmus Sandin, Travis Dermott and Timothy Liljegren may have to take on more responsibility. They both have stated that Muzzin took a big role in their development at an NHL level, which will hopefully not fizzle if he is out of the lineup. It looks as if 75 career game “veteran” Justin Holl may be forced to take on that role in Rielly, Ceci, and maybe Muzzin’s absence.

Overall, we should celebrate the win for what it was; a necessary two points.

The Toronto Maple Leafs responded big time to a bad loss for the second time in a week, and took two out of three games against arguably the NHL’s three best teams.

Next. The Surprising Celebrities Who Love the Leafs. dark

Overall, despite the injuries, the lack of action at the deadline and of course the now notorious Carolina game, the Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to do alright.

It will be tough with Muzzin out of the lineup, but this team is proving to be extremely resilient.

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