It really does seem like this has been the season of the injury bug. As soon as one player returns to the Leafs lineup, another one gets hurt. Musical chairs of battling injuries, and now the defensive end is missing both Muzzin and Rielly.

What was already considered a questionable defense, the Leafs will really have their work cut out for them. I’m happy to see Sandin make his way back to the big club, just not under these circumstances. Morgan Rielly is a big loss for the Leafs and he’s sure taken a beating this season as it seems like he’s been beat up for quite some time now. This broken foot was just the icing on the cake; hopefully he’s primed and ready and back to full health when he returns to the Buds lineup.

The last few games the Leafs have been giving up a lot of goals, no fault to Andersen as the Leafs have hung him to dry a few times. Before Andersen begins to feel like cheap laundry the Leafs will have to have a bounce back game tonight when they square off against New Jersey. This is a game the Leafs need to win and play a quality sixty minutes and get back on track after losing three straight. In those three losses they have given up a whopping eighteen goals! That’s actually beyond ugly, time to tighten things up.

Sandin has been turning heads as he was the World Jr’s best defenceman. With the injuries the Leafs have I can only imagine that Sandin is going to have a chance to strut his stuff and get some chances on the power play as well as logging some quality minutes.

This could be a blessing in disguise as Rielly surely needed some time to rest and Sandin looks to be ready to make an impact in the big show.

The race in the Eastern Conference is really tight this season and going on a three game skid can really shuffle the deck. The Leafs will have to tighten up, without question they need to because they don’t have the depth on the back end like they do up front. If they continue to play loosy goosy things could really unravel.

Sheldon Keefe gave the boys a few days of rest and relaxation in sunny Florida. It certainly seemed liked the leash was a bit too loose as the Leafs looked dazed and confused against the Panthers. It really was a hideous display of hockey considering how hot the Leafs have been over the last month. It’s time for Keefe to show the players he can be a coach who rewards the team for playing well and working hard, but also a hard ass when the team is in a funk and needs to work harder and get back to their winning ways.

One thing is certain in my eyes, the Leafs can’t keep leaving Andersen out to dry. They need to support him if they expect him to stay confident and sharp as we ramp up toward towards All-Star break. Shortly after the break is done, deadline will be approaching and who knows what Dubas and the Leafs have in mind. I’d be willing to move a forward for some defensive help as long as it makes sense and were simply not throwing away young upcoming talent for another Marincin.

Keep an eye on Sandin, he’s going to be hungry for a permanent spot going forward. I’m hoping we see both Sandin and Liljegren paired together; let’s see what the kids can do!!

Thanks for reading, have a great day!

Go Leafs Go!

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