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UPDATE: Nylander in Thursday - Have no fear; Auston Matthews is here

December 5, 2018, 9:29 AM ET [324 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
UPDATE:

Looks as if William Nylander will make his season debut tomorrow night versus the Detroit Red Wings.

_______

Once again Auston Matthews opens the scoring for the Maple Leafs. It may have taken a bit longer than usual but the youngster continues to impress as he finished the night with two goals, one assist including the overtime game winner. The Leafs first overall pick has been torching his opponents since returning from his shoulder injury. That’s now seven points in his last three games, five of which were goals!

Is there anyone better than Matthews in the National Hockey League at scoring goals? I don’t think so.

With fifteen goals in fourteen games played Matthews is the only player in the NHL who has a goal per game average or more. The Leafs power play is deadly with Auston on the ice, adding Nylander into the mix is only going to make it more productive as the secondary unit will be that much more dangerous.

The goals scored against Buffalo other than the Marleau clutch bury were outstanding highlight reel goals.

Marner entered the zone; did a little twist and shout and then fired a backhand no look saucer pass onto the tape of Tavares and he batted the puck down out of the air and fed a no doubter pass to Gardiner for an easy goal.

This Leafs team is off the charts in offensive skill. Last night was a fantastic game to watch as both Buffalo and Toronto were playing hard and both wanted the two points. It was the first battle of the QEW this season and you can bet the next one will be just as entertaining.

Andersen had another busy night but that’s nothing new for him. He’s been outstanding on a nightly basis for the Leafs. That’s four games in a row the Leafs have given up 40+ shots! Andersen makes the big saves and that’s what counts. He continues to lead the NHL goaltenders in most wins and is sporting an outstanding .923 save percent.

The importance of a good goaltender is more of a requirement now than ever. With the high end talent and number of scoring chances each game, the goaltending position is more vital than ever before. Look around the league at decent teams who have horrible goaltending…

I’m very thankful for the Phil Kessel trade which allowed us to pick up Andersen and Kapanen. This is when we needed the payout, not in the Kessel era. Both teams won this trade and it’s right now the Leafs are reaping the benefits of the deal.

The Leafs play a mediocre at best Detroit Red Wings team who is a bit banged up/sidelined. Mantha is hurt and Bertuzzi just got suspended two games for an incident on the Detroit bench where he uppercut someone while Larkin held him. It’s a good time for the Leafs to pounce on the Wings and lick their fingers clean of some hot sauce when they are done with them.

Six in a row? I think so.

Go Leafs Go!

Thanks for reading.
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