Well it goes without saying that the Leafs will have to be better at both ends of the ice if they want to add another two points to their total. The lackluster performance by both forwards and defence against Edmonton was embarrassing. The players were far too passive when pressuring McDavid and the Oilers offense. It looked like more of a men’s league game with some waiving sticks than anything else.

Just ask Morgan Rielly as he’s still hunting for his jock strap from that McDangle.

Now that we’ve touched on that it’s time to move on to the next game, just as the Leafs are tonight when they face the Winnipeg Jets. Hellebuyck will be manning the fort for the Jets as they hope to turn things around after a win against Montreal on Monday, (not that it’s a hard task these days, considering Detroit just beat them last night). But the Jets have been playing some poor hockey over the last couple weeks (3-5-2) in their last ten games. As we know the Leafs have been red hot, let’s hope they can empty the fuel of the Jets and keep them planted on the runway.

How about Pierre the machine Engvall?

The guy just keeps on scoring! That’s now six goals in his last nine games. I’m a fan of the big Swede who comes in at 6’5, 215 pounds. Engvall, 23 years of age and a seventh round draft pick from the Leafs has certainly got the attention of the brass. Let’s see if he can continue to bury the biscuit tonight!

There’s been some chatter about the Leafs talking to Justin Williams before he signed his deal with the Hurricanes. Sounds like he said no thank you to Toronto, but really, who cares? He would bring nothing to this roster. He’s 35, we have Spezza for veteran presence; which is good enough for my liking.

If the Leafs are to add anything to their roster this season I would still be looking for a backup goalie or another defensive defender to add. An upgrade over Marincin type player. We shall see if Dubas has anything up his sleeve as we slowly approach the deadline.

It’s not been a hot topic of conversation yet but the Leafs top prospect played absolutely incredible in the World Juniors. Rasmus Sandin is the real deal, we just haven’t seen the whole package unwrapped quite yet. In due time, I assure you of that; Sandin will rock the socks off the Leafs faithful.

It seems as if the Leafs plan to let Sandin ripen to the fullest extent as he will continue his journey with the Toronto Marlies. The plan could change in a heart beat if the Leafs defense plays like they did against Edmonton on Monday night. No Sandin is not going to come in and play a shutdown role and make the Leafs instantly better defensively, he’s not quite there yet. But I certainly don’t think the Leafs are against calling Sandin back up this season and burning a year of his contract. If I had to take a stab at guessing their real plan, it would be that Sandin is being eyed heavily and he will be called up before seasons end and it’s just a matter of time.

One thing is for sure, the Leafs could use Muzzin back in the lineup. They are missing his feisty playing style on the back end. He’s still week to week with a broken foot (as of December 28).

Enjoy tonight’s game and let’s hope the Leafs can get another two points tonight as Tampa Bay passed us in the standings after last night’s destruction of the Vancouver Canucks.

Go Leafs Go!

Thanks for reading.

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