Toronto Maple Leafs: Early Season Struggles

The Good Start

Every team looks to have a good start to their season and get as many early wins as possible. The start to this season was extra special for the Maple Leafs as they used their home opener to announce John Tavares as the new team captain. The team followed that up with a 5-3 win over the rival Ottawa Senators. The game was highlighted by two goals from Auston Matthews and good games by new Maple Leafs Tyson Barrie and Ilya Mikheyev.

The good fortune continued for the Maple Leafs in their next game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus. The Maple Leafs dominated for almost the entire game earning them a 4-1 win. Frederik Andersen had a great game in net for the Maple Leafs allowing just the one goal. Both Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly had very good three point games, with Marner scoring two of the team’s four goals.

The Fall Begins

The Maple Leafs looked like they were going to win their third game of the season in a game against the Montreal Canadiens. A goal in the third period by William Nylander gave the Maple Leafs a 4-1 lead, but most Maple Leafs fans know that a 4-1 lead in the third period is not safe. This proved to be true once again as the third period ended in a 5-5 tie. The two teams would not settle anything in overtime and needed a shootout to decide the score. The Canadiens would complete the comeback in the shootout and win the game 6-5. Little did the Maple Leafs fans know that this was the start of something worse.

The next game saw the Maple Leafs play the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the St. Louis Blues. The game was tied 2-2 going into the third period, but a goal by the Blues in the third was all that was needed to hand the Maple Leafs their second loss of the season and second in a row. What really stuck out in this game was how easily the Maple Leafs got pushed around by the Blues. The Maple Leafs believe that they can win games with their skill and therefore don’t need to be a very physical team. A little more physicality could have helped them beat the Blues and could help them against other more physical teams in the future.

The Fall Continues

On Thursday night the Maple Leafs played divisional rival the Tampa Bay Lightning. The first period was a back and forth goal fest with the Lightning leading 4-3 by first intermission. The Maple Leafs did not have any more answers to the Lightning’s firepower. The visiting team would go on to score three more times and win the game 7-3, and the Maple Leafs struggle continues.

After three losses in a row, fans are starting to show their displeasure. Some are even calling for the firing of head coach Mike Babcock. After only five games it is still too early to be panicking and I would assume that the Maple Leafs are not yet in panic mode. They will need to get back in the win column soon or Leafs Nation will continue to boil over.

The Maple Leafs will look to end their losing streak on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit.

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