Imagine my surprise when I was innocently going about my day only to learn that there was a Toronto Maple Leafs game about to start.
You probably don’t have to, because most likely, you are also surprised about there being a Toronto Maple Leafs game on a Friday.
At 2 PM.
What in the name of Bruce Springsteen is going on?
American Thanksgiving.
So logically, it follows that the Leafs would play in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, being from Canada etc.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Minnesota Wild
This is a pretty big insult to Leafs fans by the NHL. We pay for pretty much everything in this revenue sharing league, and we should not have to miss games because we’re at work.
I very well could have missed this game if I wasn’t messing around on Twitter while I was supposed to be at work. I didn’t even know it was a 2PM start – the least they could do is make a big deal about it so we are aware!
There is no way to watch it live, but at least I can tape it and watch it later.
Radio Silence will be difficult to maintain, and if the kids come home from school and already know the score, I’m done for!
This is dumb. The Leafs should not have to participate in nonsense afternoon games while I’m at work. I formally protest.
Formal protest completed.
Back to the game preview.
Matt Murray will get the call, and I presume that means Erik Kallgren will play tomorrow against Pittsburgh.
The Leafs 11-5-5 are on fire, having lost just twice in regulation over the last month. They are currently the league’s hottest team and what is crazy is that they’ve used three goalies, have had one of the NHL’s toughest schedules (4th toughest, according to a twitter user who, as far as I know, has never been wrong about anything, ever) , and Auston Matthews isn’t scoring 5v5.
Oh and they are doing it with a blue-line seemingly held together by duct tape.
The Wild are 9-8-2 and while they haven’t really gotten it going yet, they are way better than many of the teams ahead of them and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
It is however, pretty obvious that the Leafs are probably, most likely (maybe) the NHL’s best team. They are only 7 points back of Boston, who lead the NHL, but Boston has played a super-easy schedule and are getting preposterously lucky.
You might laugh at that, and that is why I am here to offer up my personal guarantee that eventually the Toronto Maple Leafs will pass the Boston Bruins in the standings. If this doesn’t happen, I will retire my Devils Sticks, my Hackey Sack and all of my Pogs.
You have my word!