We’re three games into the Toronto Maple Leafs season and it’s gone exactly how we all expected.
On the bright side, the best player in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Auston Matthews, is in sensational form, consistently delivering top-notch performances.
Matthews’ impressive scoring abilities have solidified his status as one of the league’s premier players, making him a beacon of hope for the Leafs faithful.
Who knows how many goals Matthews can score after scoring six in the first two games. Keep in mind that two years ago he scored 50 goals in 50 games, but it didn’t get the publicity it deserved because it didn’t happen from the first game of the season.
Auston aside, the team’s struggles on the defensive end have been a recurring issue.
Despite their offensive firepower, the Leafs have found it challenging to keep opponents at bay, often leading to high-scoring affairs. While Matthews and the offense dazzle, the defensive unit has also been a cause for concern.
Specifically the pairing of Jake McCabe and John Klingberg, whom the coach broke up in the third period of the last game after seeing eight straight atrocious periods from the combo.
Equally concerning is the goaltending situation in Toronto, thus far. Despite seeming secure with Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll, both have struggled and we really don’t know who will end up as the team’s no. 1 goalie by year’s end. This instability between the pipes has hindered their consistency and could cause concern as they try to win a Stanley Cup.
Let’s dig in deeper on the team thus far and look at three takeaways from the team’s first three games.