Will the Toronto Maple Leafs Have a November to Remember?

Oct 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) celebrates with forwards Mitchell Marner (16) and Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (88) after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) celebrates with forwards Mitchell Marner (16) and Auston Matthews (34) and William Nylander (88) after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs ended the month of October with a 5-3-1 record for 11 points. It’s technically their best start since the 2020-21 season when they went 7-2 through the first nine games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost their final game of October by a score of 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings.

The only Leafs goal came from captain John Tavares. Mitch Marner and William Nylander assisted his goal. Nylander now has points in nine straight games to start the season. It’s a new franchise record, and he now has 13 points in nine games. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

For Tavares, he now has 12 points in nine games and shows no signs of slowing down. Although he and Nylander had a successful October, the month could have been better for the Leafs. They finished the month sitting in 5th place within the Atlantic Division.

The Leafs focus will now shift to November. November will include six games against divisional rivals and a trip to Sweden. Hopefully, the Leafs will make the most of their 12 games in November and reclaim a top-three spot in the Atlantic. Here is a look at the month ahead.

Toronto Maple Leafs November Outlook

The Leafs will start November off with four games against divisional rivals. They will begin the month with an away game against the Boston Bruins on November 2nd.

After that, the Leafs will have a five-game homestand, starting with a game against the Buffalo Sabres on November 4th. Next on the schedule is the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 6th, Ottawa Senators on November 8th, Calgary Flames on November 10th, and Vancouver Canucks on November 11th.

The games on November 10th and 11th coincide with Hockey Hall of Fame weekend, so expect to see NHL Alumni in attendance for those two games. It’s not a part of the Leafs schedule, but many former Leafs will partake in the Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic game on November 12th at Scotiabank Arena.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be off from November 12th to 16th as they travel to Sweden for two games. They will play the Detroit Red Wings in Sweden on November 17th and the Minnesota Wild on November 19th.

When the Leafs return from Sweden, they will play back-to-back road games against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 24th and the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 25th.

To end the month, the Leafs will host the Florida Panthers on November 28th and the Seattle Kraken on November 30th. Between Hall of Fame weekend, a trip to Sweden, and six divisional games, November could be a month to remember for the Leafs.