The Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Games of the 2020 Calendar
Typically we’d have a lot more games to choose from in a calendar year, but the Toronto Maple Leafs only played 33 games in 2020.
To say that 2020 has been a weird year, is an understatement. However, we should all be thankful that we were able to watch a little Toronto Maple Leafs hockey and a new 56-game regular season is on it’s way.
Before we knew a pandemic would shut down the world, the expectations were high for the Leafs. 2019 was filled with another Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins and a Mike Babcock firing, but 2020 was going to be different. After Sheldon Keefe was hired, the losing ways stopped and the team won more often than not.
Before the calendar flipped, the Leafs were trending towards missing the playoffs. Fortunately, the Keefe hiring sparked the team and by March, 2020 it looked like they were going to make the playoffs. However, as everyone knows, the world stopped on March 12, 2020 and the NHL season was shifted.
With five months off, we hoped that a young Leafs team would rally together and make a run but that didn’t happen. The team failed in five Qualifying Series games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and their season was over before it started again.
Five games from March 10 to December 31. That’s it.
I’ve played more games of NHL 21 in one day than the Leafs have played in nine months.
Although the Leafs only played 33 games in the 2020 Calendar year, they gave us a ton of entertainment in a short timeframe. I guess that’s what happens when you abandon defense every night and have to win games 7-5.
Regardless, here are the top-five Toronto Maple Leafs games of 2020.
#5. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (August 4, 2020)
Result: Leafs win 3-0
Two nights prior, the Leafs had lost 2-0 to go down 1-0 in the series against the Blue Jackets. In a Best-of-Five Series, the Leafs couldn’t afford to go down 2-0.
After we’d seen the first Toronto Maple Leafs game in five months, we couldn’t believe that the series could be over in six days, so the Leafs desperately needed to win Game 2. It’s not like the team looked terrible in Game 1, it’s just that they couldn’t score. Which is a theme we’d unfortunately continue to see in this series…
If there was one game all season that showcased the potential of the Leafs, it was this game. From start to finish, the team controlled possession and outworked Columbus. The Leafs played so well that I convinced myself they were going to go on a run after this.
John Tavares played out of his mind, finishing the game with eight shots on net and one goal. Meanwhile, the rest of the core was tremendous as Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews also scored. Even the defense was well-structured. Freddie Andersen only faced 20 shots and secured the shutout.
The team needed a bounce-back game and that’s exactly what they did with this one. Columbus’ head coach John Tortorella explained the game perfectly in his Press Conference saying: “Toronto played a really good game. We sucked.”
#4. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Nashville Predators (January, 27, 2020)
Result: Leafs win 5-2
After losing five of six games heading into the NHL All-Star Break, many questioned this team. Within those losses, the team’s defense was it’s biggest question mark, as the team allowed six or more goals in three of those five losses.
That first game after the All-Star Break is always tough, but on the road in Nashville is even harder. Nashville is always a tough place to play, thanks to it’s nightlife and loud atmosphere. However, the Leafs were up for the challenge.
The Leafs played a perfect road first period going up 2-1, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Rasmus Sandin would score his first career NHL goal in the second period, which ended up being the game-winning goal.
It may not have been the most exciting game of the season but it was an exclamation point win that was necessary. The Leafs showed that they could bounce-back and that the NHL All-Star Break provided necessary time-off to motivate this team to a great second-half of their season.
#3. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets (January 2, 2020)
Result: Leafs win 6-3
He may have allowed three goals, but Freddie Andersen should have allowed 10 on this cold night in Winnipeg. Andersen was amazing, making 45 saves on 48 shots, en-route to the 6-3 victory on the road.
After getting out to a 2-0 lead, the Jets stormed back to even the game in the second period. That second frame was wild, as both teams combined for six goals and the Leafs were up 5-3 by the time it ended.
This game also showcased the great bounce-back season from William Nylander. The 24-year-old picked up his 18th and 19th goal of the season and added an assist for a three-point night. Although defense was an issue, Andersen saved the day and showed that he’s an elite goaltender in the NHL, while the Leafs showed that they can outscore anyone.
#2. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (March 10, 2020)
Result: Leafs win 2-1
After what looked to be an easy California road trip, the Leafs only secured one of a possible six points and had to come home to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Leafs were struggling and things didn’t look good against one of the best teams in the NHL.
In what would end up being their last regular season game of the 2019-20 campaign, the Leafs saved their best for last.
When you think of this team, you think of a high-flying offense and struggling defense. In order for the team to win, they typically would have to win with offense. They weren’t a team that would win a low-scoring tight game, but that changed against Tampa Bay.
From start-to-finish, the Leafs looked great. Nylander opened the scoring, but Ondrej Palat tied the game 1-1 in the second period. This is typically where the train would fall of the tracks, but the Leafs didn’t let that happen this time. Auston Matthews scored his 47th goal of the season in the third period, which would end up being the game-winner.
The Leafs killed off four penalties and showed that they could win a tight game for once. Unfortunately this was the last game they played for five months.
#1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (August 7, 2020)
Result: Leafs win 4-3 (OT)
This game was one of the craziest games I can ever remember, but it will always be forgotten because the Leafs couldn’t win the series. I seriously thought that this win would propel the team towards a championship, but that clearly didn’t happen.
So, we all remember the Toronto Maple Leafs being up 4-1 in the third period and losing but it doesn’t typically happen the other way in Leafs-Land. In an empty building with fans watching poolside on a hot summer’s night, Toronto found themselves down 3-0 in the third period. With five minutes left in the game, the season looked finished.
Then, with just under four minutes left, William Nylander made the game 3-1. Okay, cool. They didn’t get shutout, thank god. Flash-forward one minute later and John Tavares makes the game 3-2. Okay, now you have my attention.
Those last three minutes are flying by and the core players are absolutely buzzing. Then, with 27 seconds left it happens. Zach Hyman ties the game and somehow the Leafs push this game to overtime. I’m in shock. How in the world did this actually happen? The season was over five minutes ago!
As we sit on the edge of our seats for intermission and the start of overtime, another break goes Toronto’s way. Columbus’ captain Nick Foligno takes a tripping penalty and the Leafs now have the man-advantage. And here’s what happens:
- Columbus wins the draw
- They can’t clear the zone
- Morgan Rielly passes the puck near the boards to Mitch Marner
- Marner no-looks a pass to John Tavares
- Tavares then saucer-passes it to Auston Matthews
- Matthews buries the one-timer into the back of the night
- Toronto wins!!! How in the f*** did Toronto win!?!?
Next. 6 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Heading to WJHC. dark
It was a perfect ending to a crazy night. Matthews deserved the goal as the team’s best player in the biggest moment. It’s unfortunate that the season ended two nights later, but that game will always be remembered as the greatest comeback that no fan attended.