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Toronto Maple Leafs News and Notes, Player Stats and Quotes, Week 4.

By William Cann

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 6: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads back to the bench after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 6: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads back to the bench after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 6, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Each week I will dive into team news and notes for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  I will highlight the game of the week, the player of the week, and provide some fun quotes and observations as we break the season into weekly segments.

In week 4, the Toronto Maple Leafs had a rare 5 day break to recoup and get some practice time in.  They then crushed the Vancouver Canucks twice, by a combined score of 12-4, and claimed 1st place in the NHL standings as of Sunday night.

The Leafs also lost Wayne Simmonds who is week-to-week with a wrist injury.  Not only did he have 5 goals on the season but he’s been such a positive influence on this team’s mental approach to the game that I’m not sure he can be replaced, even in the short term.

I have to say, considering the Leafs are in 1st place, there is too much negativity and skepticism surrounding the team right now.  Can Leaf fans not just enjoy some success?  Are we so worn down from years of futility that we cannot honor a good team when we get one?  Because we have a good team.  We have a really good team.  Hockey is fun and it’s a really good time to be a Leaf fan.  It’s OK to get on this train.  Enjoy the ride.

Game of the Week

My only choices here were two blowouts.  Talking about the first game would seem like gloating, because the Canucks just didn’t show up for that one at all.  So, I’m going with the second game on Saturday night, where the Leafs completely dismantled a struggling Canucks team 5-1.

Hey, the score is bad, I know, but at least Vancouver showed up and put in a little effort with a 47.7 CF%.  It’s something.  And right now, Canucks fans desperately need something because Vancouver looks genuinely horrible.

Quick question for Canucks fans, should Edler retire?  I know the Leafs are a tough cover but he doesn’t look like an NHL level defenseman anymore.  He’s had a great career and been good for a long time, but man did he struggle in these two games.

The most encouraging sign from the 5-1 win?   The fact that the Leafs never really took their foot off the gas.  They never let up.  They pushed the pace and came at the Canucks all game, even in the third when the game was basically over.  This is an indicator of a team that is building a winning mentality.

Also of note in this game, Brodie is an incredible passer.  He made half a dozen really good passes in this game to exit the defensive zone and push the Leafs up the ice.  He looks much more comfortable after a slow start and all of a sudden the Leafs D isn’t being talked about that much.

Speaking of the Leafs D, with the way that Holl is playing, and the fact that Lehtonen actually looked good, this group of defenseman may be the best we’ve seen in Toronto in years.  Maybe we should give Dubas a little bit of credit for what is looking like a fantastic off-season.

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