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The goal scoring machine and his aide |
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It wasn’t so long ago that the Leafs two most electric forwards were not allowed to play together. Well maybe that’s a bit of a stretch but the combo of Matthews and Marner wasn’t something the Leafs former coach was a big fan of. I guess he had his reasons? Or maybe he was just being stubborn and stuck in his ways, which sounds like Babcock to me. It seemed like any time us fans got a taste of the Matthews and Marner magic they would be so nervous to make a mistake and disappoint Babcock that they just couldn’t get it going.
Now that Keefe has joined the party, the Leafs have taken a big step forward and he’s opened up some doors that were shut by their former coach. I just don’t get how a coach with Babcock’s experience and knowledge gained throughout all of those hockey seasons couldn’t get that two young stud’s would want the chance to play together. Marner is the most creative forward the Leafs have ever had. Matthews is the best pure sniper the Leafs have ever had. What gives?
Well, the door didn’t give much as it hit off the spring and sent Babcock packing. I will never understand his thought process there, as so many teams load up one line and would be ecstatic to have the deadly combination of Matthews and Marner. It’s not like Nylander and Tavares haven’t started to click and give the Leafs another high quality tandem to plow through their opponents. Sometimes you have to be willing to adapt and change on the fly, something Babs certainly seemed to lack, especially when comparing to Keefe.
I’m sure it wasn’t exactly as easy as flicking on and off a light switch. But Dubas and Shanahan must have had a tough time breaking the news to the upper brass that they had to dump Babcock and pay him the remainder of his salary for the years remaining.
What’s a few million if the Leafs win the cup right?
The creative juices are flowing in Leafs Nation and Marner has the wooden spoon and isn’t done mixing her up quite yet. Between him and Matthews doing their spinnerama’s and no look behind the back passes, I wonder what’s next? Could it be that Matthews does the lacrosse style goal for the Leafs? I’m certain he’s been working on it and he wants to bury the biscuit with a dandy this season, its coming!
As of now Matthews is on pace for 50+ goals and Marner is on pace for 100+ points; that’s nothing shy of legendary. Could it be the season for some hardware?
With 31 games remaining in the Maple Leafs schedule you can bet the boys are eyeing some personal goals. But there is nothing more important than winning and having a seat at the table in the playoffs. It’s important for the boys to keep their eye on the prize and not worry too much about anything else.
As of now Matthews (36 goals) is just one goal behind Pastrnak (37 goals) and Ovechkin is catching up quickly with 35. There looks to be quite a tight race to the finish line here, similar to the standings in the East. It’s not just Matthew’s who’s in position A here; Andersen is just one win behind Vasilevskiy for the most wins on the season. Unfortunately for Marner he missed some time, but he’s still at 50 points in 40 games and would be in the top 10 for points if not the injury.
I’m a firm believer in Matthews getting the most goals in the NHL this season. 60 goals? Can the stash lead Auston to hoist the Rocket Richard Trophy for the first time in Maple Leafs history?! Auston has the Calder Trophy from 2017, can he add another piece in 2020?
Let’s see it! That would be quite amazing considering it’s never been done. It’s actually quite the mind blow that no Maple Leafs player has ever won it, in all those years of NHL history.
The Leafs have the Senators on Saturday night and you can bet they want to win this one. That would be 6/6 points on the week and is just what the doctor ordered.
Have a great weekend, thanks for reading.
Go Leafs Go!
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • 
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