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Toronto Maple Leafs: New Canadian Rivalry Set To Begin Tonight

By Jeremy Ridgewell

EDMONTON, AB - NOVEMBER 30: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers faces off against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Place on November 30, 2017 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - NOVEMBER 30: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers faces off against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Place on November 30, 2017 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play in their first of nine meetings against the Edmonton Oilers. It will also give us the superstar matchup we crave with Auston Matthews against Connor McDavid.

The first meeting between these two teams will feature a Toronto Maple Leafs team that is off to a good start with a 3-1 record against a struggling Oilers team who is off to a slow start with a 1-3 record.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the NHL created new divisions for this season including, the North (Canadian) Division. Allowing fans the rare chance to witness Matthews and the Leafs play McDavid and the Oilers more than twice a season.

I like the look and feel of a Toronto Maple Leafs rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers, even if it is only for one shortened season.

Edmonton Oilers Slow Start

The Oilers started the season as heavy favorites to challenge for the top spot in the North Division. Poor defensive play and less than stellar goaltending have them off to a slow start. They have scored 10 goals in four games, which is pretty good, but they have also allowed 15 goals.

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both have five points to start the season. Next are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto, who each have three points. That is pretty much the extent of Edmonton’s scoring thus far.

What has not helped the Oilers early on is the poor goaltending by Mikko Koskinen. He has played in all four games and has allowed 15 goals. That gives him a 3.80 GAA and a .897 SV% so far to start the season.

Facing Matthews and the many scoring threats that the Maple Leafs have in their lineup might only make things worse for Koskinen and the Oilers.

Toronto Maple Leafs Off To A Good Start

Like the Oilers, the Leafs were picked as heavy favorites to win the North Division this season. So far, so good for Toronto as they sit in the top spot of the Division with a 3-1 record for six points.

The Leafs started the season off with a thrilling come from behind overtime win against their long time rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. Next was a series split against the Ottawa Senators and then a dominating performance against the Winnipeg Jets this past Monday.

As much as the talk will be about Matthews versus McDavid, the Oilers will need to watch out for Toronto’s top four of Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The four have a combined 21 points in four games.

It’s safe to say that the Oilers will have their work cut out for them against the Leafs on Wednesday night and again on Friday night. The one thing Toronto has to hope they get improvement from is Frederik Andersen. He had a great game against Winnipeg but will need to improve his 3.32 GAA and .881 SV% to help keep Toronto in first place.

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These next two games between the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs will be exciting. The two teams will also meet again for another two games next Thursday and Saturday.

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