Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Predicting the Toronto Maple Leafs Path Through the Qualifying Round

By Shaun Filippelli

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his second period goal with team mates on the bench Rasmus Sandin #38, Tyson Barrie #94 and Justin Holl #3 at Canadian Tire Centre on February 15, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Jake Muzzin #8 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his second period goal with team mates on the bench Rasmus Sandin #38, Tyson Barrie #94 and Justin Holl #3 at Canadian Tire Centre on February 15, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Frederik Andersen #31.. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Game 1

Expect to see Toronto come out flying to start this series. Not only do they recognize that they fell short of expectations this season, but this is a prime opportunity to turn over a new leaf from their recent playoff struggles.

Action will pick up immediately following puck drop and there will be little to no time for these teams to get re-acquainted and ease into the round. It will be a more physical series than expected.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will get on the board early and control the pace of the game throughout it, dominating with their speed and creativity. They’ll lead the whole way through.

Columbus will eventually score, but at a point in the game that it simply won’t be enough to impact the outcome of this one.

Although slow starts have become the expectation of Frederik Andersen in the past, his peak capabilities will be on display from the get-go and he’ll shatter that pattern.

Familiar names like Mitch Marner and William Nylander will do what they do best to set the tone, while newer faces like Nick Robertson quickly make themselves known throughout the opposing dressing room.

Toronto’s stars will shine brighter to start this series and they’ll take Game 1 by a score of 5-1.

Home/Editorials