The Toronto Maple Leafs really weren’t that bad last night.
Now, I know that this is the Toronto Maple Leafs we are taking about here and that every single loss is a complete and utter travesty combined with an emergency and divided by the square root of an abomination, but let’s all just take a breath and relax.
The Leafs lost, but you and I both know they don’t usually lose that game last night. Most of the time, Freddie Andersen will be a useful part of the team and not a complete joke, which he’s been for the first two nights of the season.
Auston Matthews will score goals. Matt Murray was the true star last night, because until Ottawa scored three in a row in the second, the Leafs looked like a kid playing with a bug and a magnifying glass.
Toronto Maple Leafs and the Start to the Season
Before the three goal onslaught that may just give Jack Campbell a shot at a temporary starting gig, the Leafs were crushing it. The fact is, most of the time this game is over before the Senators go on that little run.
To be honest, I was more angry watching the intermission than the game. I’m sorry TSN but it’s just embarrassing that you have a guy rambling about plus/minus in an intermission of a professional game in 2021.
Now Sportsnet spent a significant amount of time on Wednesday talking about faceoffs (and their “it’s on” commercial was sub-Old Navy) so let’s not pretend they’re any better, but come on. I honestly cannot believe I’m seeing Dave Poulin and Brian Burke on my TV in 2021. (Though in the interest of fairness, Kevin Bieksa and Mike Johnson almost make up for it).
Anyways, speaking of needed lineup changes, let’s hope that Sheldon Keefe gets the memo too. Jack Campbell has to start tonight, and hopefully in the next game too. Andersen deserves a week off to remember what he does for a living.
The Toronto Maple Leafs also need to bring a trio of fast, talented players who are languishing in the press box. Sorry Jimmy Vesey, Zach Bogosian and Wayne Simmonds, but you haven’t done anything in two games and the team needs a talent and speed injection.
The Leafs should Bring in Nick Robertson, Rasmus Sandin and Mikko Lehtonen. The fourth line doesn’t even really play, so dressing seven defenseman is probably optimal anyways.
Time for some lineup changes, for both the team and the broadcaster.