Toronto Maple Leafs Are Back, Going for 4th Win In a Row

The Toronto Maple beat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime on Saturday night and will take them on again tonight.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won three in a row, coming out of mid-season tailspin that was the combination of a) bad goaltending b) opposing goaltending and c) a wonky power-player which all good have easily been overcome had Auston Matthews been able to rip the puck with his customary mustard.

On Saturday the best player in franchise history was looking much more like his former self than he had in weeks, and only a crossbar and a five alarm save allowed the much, much weaker Oilers team to steal a point they had no business getting.

And while this was the Leafs third win in a row, it was their fifth straight game where they put together a very solid overall performance.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers

The Leafs recent surge has them back atop the North Division standings, where they unquestionably belong.  The Jets are a team propped up by a goalie, while the Oilers are where they are due to a perfect record vs Ottawa.

The Leafs biggest competition in the division is the Canadiens who have played four games less than everyone else.  For playoff purposes, it would be preferable if they could turn it on a bit and set up a first round match for the Leafs with either Edmonton or Winnipeg, two teams that can’t handle the Leafs at all.

Tonight’s game will feature the same lineup as Saturday, with one obvious change.

I like that Hutchinson has rebounded from last year’s brutal performance, but it’s never a good thing when you have to send out your third stringer against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Campbell has been injured twice this season, so he’s not exactly a reliable starter.  As much it’s probably an unpopular opinion at this point, the Leafs really need Freddie Andersen to get back and be healthy.

I have been frustrated with Andersen for a while now, but he still gives the Leafs their best chance to win. Campbell is a fan favorite – in part because he’s seems like such a likable person – but he’s also only played 11 games in a year – a mere fortnight’s worth of work to Andersen.

Barring a second straight trade deadline acquisition of Robin Lehner (one can dream) the Leafs are starting Andersen in game one of the playoffs.  As for tonight, I’m sure Hutch has another shut-out in him.