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Toronto Maple Leafs: A Glorious Sweep, Spezza and Trade Rumours

By James Tanner

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Jason Spezza #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Jason Spezza #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs played maybe their best game of the season last night against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs almost shut out the Edmonton Oilers for three straight games, using three different goalies.  Just a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins goal was the difference between an amazing run of games and making history. Oh well, hard to complain about something so small when the team is rolling so smoothly.

The Leafs beat the Oilers 6-1 with Jimmy Vesey scoring twice and Auston Matthews not even registering a point, despite a season high seven shots on net.  It was nice to see Vesey catch a break burry a couple, just as it was nice to see superstar William Nylander continue to silence his critics with a goal in his fourth straight game, giving him five in that span, and ten on the year, which is the sixth highest total in the NHL.

Nylander is also ninth in goals per 60 minutes of all-purpose ice-time (minimum 350 minutes played) which is pretty incredible.  It’s a huge mystery how such a soft player is continually able to outscore almost the entire rest of the NHL.  Maybe Robert Stack could shed some light on the situation?  (all stats naturalstattrick.com).

Toronto Maple Leafs Destroy the Oilers

The Leafs just completely destroyed the Oilers, outscoring them 13-1 over nine periods of hockey.  The Oilers are now a full ten points back of the Leafs, and the Leafs have a game in hand.

The Leafs will take on the Canucks tonight and hopefully keep rolling.  The Leafs are 18-4-2 and are off to the best start in franchise history.  They are currently outpacing the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lighting, which is insane.

The Leafs currently lead the second place team (in the NHL, not just their division) by six points.  They also lead the NHL in points percentage.

Two last things to talk about: First, Jason Spezza. He might be the best fourth line player in the NHL. The guy is unreal, and had a three point night last night, giving him 955 for his career, which ranks him 102nd in the all time NHL points race. (quanthockey). He needs four more points to tie Kirk Muller for 100th on the list.  If he keeps playing next year he has an outside shot at breaking 1000.

Second, the latest Toronto Maple Leafs trade rumour.  This is once again about Mikael Granlund, who is obviously an upgrade on Pierre Engvall, but I’m not sure who else in the top nine he is better than. Thornton? Maybe but I doubt it matters.  Hyman or Kerfoot? If so, its not by much.

Next. Should the Leafs Stand Pat at the Deadline?. dark

He’d obviously make the team better (he’s very good) but I still think the Leafs should shoot higher.  It will be fun to find out! Enjoy the game.

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