So far this season the Leafs looks … different.
Of note: newly minted Leaf Captain Auston Matthews (2g 1A) and Mitch Marner (3 apples) finally got off the schnied and recorded 3 points each. Bobby McMann nets 2. You da McMann! (sorry).
So yeah, it’s only game 4. The Leafs are 3-1-0 with 6pts, and hang temporarily at the top of the division.
Trust me, no one’s doing backflips. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck yesterday. I’m a Leaf fan, after all. Well, a long-time ‘follower’ at least, and we’ve seen this before – NEW SEASON EUPHORIA. But no. Losing to an AHL Zamboni driver stills sticks in the craw. Let’s be cautiously optimistic (VERY cautiously optimistic).
That said, the Leafs look … different.
Finishing checks, clearing the zone, keeping the shots down to a reasonable number. Who are these guys? Of course, there’s the dour looking guy behind the bench who might have something to do with it. That’d be new Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube.
Initially I was hoping MLSE would snag Barry Trotz or someone like that – not this guy from the team’s distant past. Not the guy who was part of the biggest trade in Leafs history, the trade that brought Doug Gilmour to town? Yeah him.
But you know, it’s working out. He’s got that Pat Burns vibe happening and I like it. Specifically tonight, I liked Berube’s in-game adjustments. Calling a time-out while the score is at 5-2 and not 6-5 like a certain former coach we all know is a refreshing change. And I’m beginning to appreciate his player management skills. I’m reasonably certain he won’t keep putting Ryan Reaves in the line-up with stubborn regularity like a certain former coach we all know (We stil love ya, Sheldon, just not as our head coach).
Power Play was decent (yay Marc Savard) with 2 goals.
Again, It’s only game 4. The Leafs are looking like an actually NHL team this year and not an AHL affiliate. Yes, the bar has dropped that low when I actually appreciate a boring but steady team. But if this rather boring Leaf team can keep it slow and steady, we may do something this year. I reiterate: it’s only game 4. Don’t plan any parades in the near future.
Notes: Patch (Max Pacioretty) was a healthy scratch tonight, Liljegren played first game (lots of scouts in the building tonight – trade bait?) Oliver Ekman-Larsson looking like a revelation on the back-end. Morgan Reilly looking good playing with Tanev. Jake McCabe still taking too many stupid penalties. Overall: solid.
Next up: Leafs/Rangers Saturday Night.
Post-script: that Joseph Lane fella should be appearing soon with words on the Habs (ppffft). Also – thank Ballard’s bifurcated carcass that the Leafs finally got rid of that terrible Hall and Oates goal song. What was up with that?
Anyway, I'll just leave this here and call it a night ...
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