Toronto Maple Leafs: Recapping the 2019-20 Season

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: Toronto Maple Leafs new captain John Tavares #91 stands alongside alternate captains Morgan Rielly #44, Auston Matthews #34 and Mitch Marner #16 before facing the Ottawa Senators in the season opener at the Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 2: Toronto Maple Leafs new captain John Tavares #91 stands alongside alternate captains Morgan Rielly #44, Auston Matthews #34 and Mitch Marner #16 before facing the Ottawa Senators in the season opener at the Scotiabank Arena on October 2, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
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TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 2: Toronto Maple Leafs new captain John Tavares #91 sta . (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 2: Toronto Maple Leafs new captain John Tavares #91 sta . (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

October, 2019 (Record: 6-5-3)

With the optimism in the air thanks to a new season, October is always a happy time in Leafs nation.

The 2019-20 home opener will always be a night to remember, except maybe for Jason Spezza.

After much speculation, John Tavares was named captain of the Maple Leafs during the pre-game ceremony. The Leafs won 5-3 against the Ottawa Senators that night, and were on their way to a perfect 82-0 record.

Unfortunately that was only one of a few highlights, as October was a month to forget.

Good:

  • Auston Matthews, as expected, was incredible to start the season. Matthews didn’t show any off-season rust starting the season with 11 goals in his first 14 games.

Bad:

  • After being named captain and scoring 47 goals the year prior, Tavares was expected to have another monster season. Unfortunately, Tavares suffered a broken finger which kept him out of the line-up for two weeks.

Fun Fact of the Month:

  • There was no home-ice advantage for the Leafs in the month of October. The team only won four of their nine home games.