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Toronto Maple Leafs: One Last Game Before the Break

By James Tanner

Nov 5, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save against Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic (11) as Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) covers the rebound in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov (35) makes a save against Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic (11) as Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) covers the rebound in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will go up against the Boston Bruins tonight in the last game of the first half before the all-star festivities this weekend.

While I’m sure there are those who enjoy the all-star game, for me, it’s like “what am I gonna do for eight days when the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t play”  read a book?  Likely.   I’ve been reading my first ever Charles Dickens book, and it’s wonderful.

Tonight’s game is the standard four point affair:

If the Bruins win, it’s 13 points and six more weeks of winter.

If the Leafs win, it’s 9 points, and winter is over. 

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins

The Leafs are every bit as good as Boston, the only difference being that Boston is in the midst of one of the luckiest runs in NHL history.

They are not the 1979 Montreal Canadiens.  They just are at the top of the NHL in shooting and save percentage.  Good for them, but it won’t last.

They could still win the Cup, as could any of of the 16 teams who make the playoffs.  Which is why criticism  of the Islanders acquiring Bo Horvat reads like John Updike trying to explain the Tommyknockers. 

If the Leafs win tonight, it’s only nine points.  Had they won against the Bruins a couple of weeks ago (they got jobbed) it would be only five.   Had the Leafs won three extra OT games, it’s only two points.

You see how I did that? Magic.

Sure, it doesn’t erase the deficit, but it does illustrate that Boston isn’t really as good as people think. They’re just Cinderella and the clock is running about 11:45.

Boston has lost three in a row, which doesn’t seem like a big deal, but that is 25% of their losses on the season.  They have only lost seven times in regulation, and two of those times are in their last three games.

Hey Mitch Marner got new skates! Just kidding, I do not care. I got a new hat.  Big deal.

Ilya Samsonov will get the start, as Matt Murray continues to convalesce.  As long as he doesn’t look down and accidently see his shadow, he can probably avoid injury during his recovery, but maybe he should have a job that doesn’t involve people firing projectiles at his fragile exoskeleton.

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It’s just a though!  A win tonight will see the Toronto Maple Leafs enter the all-star break unbeaten in seven of their last eight.

Good times!

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