Leafs vs Sabres: March 5th 2018

 Believe it or not, but tonight is the first meeting of the season between the Leafs and the Sabres. They face off 4 times in the next 5 weeks. This would be better if the Sabres were, um, in the middle of a playoff race, but as it turns out, not every scorched earth rebuild works.

The Leafs head into this game on a bit of a cold streak, although they have 2 points in their last three games, they have failed to win a game on this current road trip so far. This includes a 5-2 loss in Annapolis, at the hands of the Washington Capitals. Last Monday the Leafs acquired Thomas Plekanec from Montreal and haven't won a game since. I don't think this streak is anything to be worried of as of yet. The Leafs do have an insurmountable lead (one would think) on their playoff spot. Sitting 15 points up on the Florida Panthers. MoneyPuck has The Leafs sit at a 98.29% chance to make the playoffs.

The Sabres on the other hand have won 2 of their last 3, including a 2-1 OT victory over division rival, Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins the game before. To say this season has been a season to forget for the Sabres would be a gross understatement. They handed out a huge contract to franchise player, Jack Eichel at the beginning of the year. I'm not saying that they over paid. Eichel is an excellent player, but maybe they should have waited to sign that massive 8 year 80 million dollar contract. Maybe he could have slid in at a bit of a cheaper price. The Sabres currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and only 1 point up on the Arizona Coyotes, for bottom spot in the league.

Mitch Marner Leads the Leafs in scoring with 53 points.
Jack Eichel leads the way for the Sabres with 53 points as well.

Matt Martin returns to the #leafs lineup in Buffalo tonight.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2018

Matt Martin gets back into the lineup tonight. Hasn't played a game since Jan 22. Let's hope this isn't a long term thing.

Maybe This Year!

Greetings everyone!  I hope you all had a great summer.   I was asked the other day to give a reason why I think the Leafs are a playoff team this year.  I have thought about this long and hard to come up with my top 5 reasons why the Leafs will make the playoffs in the 2011-2012 season.  We have all waited long enough for hockey this summer, so without further delay, here are my reasons.

5.  Consistency.  Last year the leafs started off hot, going 4-0 in their 1st 4 games, but then went cold in the months ending in "er"  Once January came, the Leafs rounded out the last half of the season in the top 4 of the Eastern Conference.  Now, I know the haters are going to be like.. "But Mr. Jeff, the Leafs always go on a run near the end of the season, and miss the playoffs, why would last year make any difference?"  Which leads into my next point...

4.  Dion Phaneuf.  Dion came to the Leafs to provide a few things.  One of those things is leadership.  Once Kaberle was traded last year, Phaneuf stepped up and took this team as his own, as a captain should.  Dion had 6G & 16A from January on.  Not bad when compared to his dismal 1G 5A in the 1st half of his season.  He also was hurt for a chunk of the 1st half as well.  I expect a strong performance from the Captain this season.  He needs it and deserves it. 

3. New coaching staff. This point here may be overlooked by most people, but I think it is going to have a big impact.  While Wilson somehow keeps his job, Wilson/Burke let go of the majority of their assistant coaches and replaced them with legitimate people that can make a huge impact behind the bench. Look for the Leafs powerplay and penalty kill to rise in the standings to both being in the top 13. 

2.  Center for Kessel.  When you say the name Tim Connolly the 1st thing that pops into your head is "injuries", but what I think is "Leaf killer".  As a Leafs fan watching this guy in Buffalo for what seems like the last 20 years, he always gets those timely goals against the Leafs, just as MacArthur use to, and look what happened with MacArthur.  He plays great with Grabo and Kuli.  Expect a near full season, a very productive one at that, from the oft injured Connolly.

1.  Optimus Reim.  This is the number one reason why we are going to make the playoffs.  A lot of people are going to have this guy circled with a question mark on him because he has no real experience in the NHL.  But the one thing he does have experience with, is adversity.  He was hurt a lot in junior and had to work hard to get where he is today.  This guy is the real deal.  This guy wins 40 games this year, and his name will be mentioned in the Vezina trophy talk.  He may not win it, or even be nominated for it, but he definitely will be an honorable mention for it.

There are a few other reasons that I wanted to add to the list but there are the top 5.  Other reasons for optimism for Leaf fans is the fact that once Lupul got here, Kessel was more consistent.  The Monster has to prove himself still, look for him to push Reimer for that starting job (Monster doesn't even have a chance).  my final bonus reason is...  come on Leafers, it's been 6 seasons (7 years) since the last Maple Leafs playoff game played in TO, we NEED IT DESPERATELY!!!!  But hey, if they dont do it this year, there is always next year!