5 Best Case Scenarios for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Tavares and Matthews Combine for 110

Last year Matthews scored 41 goals in 52 games, and won the goal scoring title by eight goals.

That’s pretty impressive, but made more so by fact that, for a two week, ten game stretch, Matthews had just two goals (tap ins) and was unable to shoot the puck properly, due to a wrist injury he would eventually need surgery to repair.

When healthy, Matthews scored 39 goals in 42 games last season.  That’ a 77 goal pace, but let’s play it safe and call 70 goals a best case scenario.

In his debut season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Tavares scored 47 times.   Let’s say that he’s got another 40 goal season in him.  It’s not impossible that he does.

That gives the Leafs a best case scenario where Tavares and Matthews combine for 110 goals.

It’s extremely unlikely, as are all of our previous examples.  None of them, however, are impossible.

Nick Robertson might win the Calder.  Sandin might have a breakout season.  Jack Campbell could be for real.  One of the Leafs dumpster dives might net a diamond that someone accidently chucked in the garbage.  Matthews and Tavares might combine for a ridiculous amount of goals.

If any of these things happen, the Leafs will waltz towards a division title and several playoff victories. They are not prerequisites for success, but the fun of the preseason is that we haven’t been disappointed yet.  We can dream.