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 Maple Leafs
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

November, 2019 (7-6-1 record)

November started with three consecutive wins to get the Leafs off to a great start.

However, the defensive woes came back not long after that win-streak. As an offensive juggernaut, the Leafs always have a chance to outscore their opponent and win a high-scoring game.

However, the Leafs had allowed four goals or more in 12 of their first 23 games, so outscoring opponents became harder on a consistent basis. As a result, the Leafs made the decision to fire Mike Babcock and bring in Sheldon Keefe to help, and that’s exactly what happened.

Good:

  • Sheldon Keefe was hired and went 4-1 in November. In those five games, the Leafs only allowed four or more goals once, so the defensive play was off to a better start.

Bad:

  •  An off-season firing is one thing, but making a coaching change in November meant that there was serious issues with the Leafs.

Fun Fact of the Month:

  • Frederick Andersen had a tremendous month, finishing with a 7-3-1 record and .938 save percentage.