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The Toronto Maple Leafs Ten Game Stretch Review and Forecast

By Michael Da Ponte

Nov 21, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) and forward Auston Matthews (34) congratulate forward John Tavares (center) on his goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) and forward Auston Matthews (34) congratulate forward John Tavares (center) on his goal against the New York Islanders during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Apr 20, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (57) moves to defend Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Canucks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

Current Position in the Standings

2nd in Atlantic Division
3rd in Eastern Conference
5th in NHL

What a difference ten games can make.

The parity in the NHL has caused a log jam in the Eastern conference standings.  After the first ten games the Toronto Maple Leafs were 7th in the Atlantic, 13th in the Conference and 21st overall in the NHL.

Toronto now sits amongst the top five teams in the entire league and should be setting their sights on the top of the NHL standings.

Boston, Vegas and New Jersey are all on a torrid pace to start the year and will be difficult to catch

However, all three teams will find themselves in a slump at some point this season, and that is when the Maple Leafs can make their move. The poor start may prove to be a blessing as the   Leafs seem to be getting better with each game and maybe finally playing with some urgency and purpose.

Matthews Rocket Richard Watch:

Goals in last 10 games: 6
Total Goals: 9
Odds to win Rocket: +400

Auston Matthews still has not quite lit the lamp at the pace he did last season. Or has he? Last season at the 20 game mark Matthews was sitting at 10 goals, this season after 20 games Matthews sits at nine goals.

It was around the 20 game mark where Auston Matthews began his incredible run of 51 goals in 50 games, so expect an explosion of goals in the month of December.

Matthews currently has a shooting percentage of 6.3%, which is nearly 10 percentage points under his career average. ( stats via NHL.com ).  It’s just 3% at 5v5, where he has only 3 goals all season.

Matthews’ shooting percentage has crept up a bit in the last couple of games and in the next few weeks should be climbing even close to the 10% mark. If you can find Matthews to win the Rocket for +400 or better, take it.

He is currently seven goals off of the lead, and although Connor McDavid is arguably the best player in the league, he is not known for being a consistent goal scorer.

He has already begun to slow down, and with the team giving up far too many scoring chances so far this year the team may begin to shift their focus towards team defense and tighten up their play. Ten games from now Matthews may have this seven goal gap completely closed, so take him while the payout is still on the plus side.

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