A Sign of Good Things to Come for the Maple Leafs After Their Most Complete Effort Yet
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Although the Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of two straight losses, the fact that they controlled the pace and ran into some bad luck is a good sign.
Now you may say, isn't bad luck well...bad? Yes, but that is just the nature of professional sports. Anyone can be beaten on any given night, but it's how you perform that really dictates the true story.
Case in point, Monday afternoon's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.
No one would have thought that Cal Talbot would decide to reach back into the vault for a vintage performance, but he was stone-cold all game and turned away chance after chance after chance.
A Tale Of Two Games: Why Toronto's Loss Wasn't That Bad
The Maple Leafs outshot Detroit 40-15, they dominated the pace, they had some very good possessions. But bad penalties (albeit not all were their fault), a Morgan Rielly brainfart, and Detroit getting some lucky bounces meant they were destined to win.
Steve Dangle's post-game review mentioned the comparison between the process of the team versus the results and whether or not they are working.
As much as it sucks to lose two straight games, the process is starting to work. The depth is coming alive, the system is starting to play itself out, and if it weren't for some untimely injuries; then things might be even better.
Auston Matthews has 15 shots through his first three games, and much like last season hasn't really picked it up yet (one empty-net goal). But last year he was scoreless through three games and managed to score in three straight.
Not only is he now healthy, but you have to understand that Matthews is now just finding his groove again and while the shots haven't gone in, they have been really slick and he looks more like the captain of old.
So sure, the scoreboard may have read 3-2 for Detroit at the end of the day, but they did so by the skin of their teeth, and without Talbot; could have had a very rough game.
Maple Leafs Transition Year Will Have Growing Pains
Toronto had a mix of a system last year, trying to compensate for having Mitch Marner and the Keefe strategy of old (offensive onslaught) with the new identity they want to bring in (defensive and gritty).
We got the best of both worlds and were very lucky for it, and this season has brought in a lot of changes that means that while Toronto has the goal-scoring potential, it's about playing a more complete game than blowing out their opponents.
Craig Berube would love to win a game 2-1 much more than winning one 7-5 or 7-6 in overtime; that means not only did his defense not cough up high-danger chances, but that their grinding mentality won them games not just pure talent.
But with that comes less scoring, and no longer is there an East/West game where the team decides to use their blistering speed to outpace their opponents and get to the net.
It's about playing a North/South game where dump, chase, and forechecking reigns supreme.
Is it a bit uncomfortable as a fan to see the Maple Leafs struggle to score, and end up finding themselves in the loss column? Yes absolutely, we're all fans.
Just having a little patience though could pay off huge in the coming months ahead.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 1063 ANSWERS A Sign of Good Things to Come for the Maple Leafs After Their Most Complete Effort Yet Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be able to pull it together before the end of October? | ||
| Yes | 794 | 74.7 % |
| No | 269 | 25.3 % |
| List of polls | ||