During the regular season, the MapleLeafs have been one of the most dangerous clubs that money can buy. But the post-season is a different beast, one that's gnawed on this core for four years in a row. The solution is clear, writes lukefoxjukebox.
need defencemen. Plural. And, God bless Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, but they need some defencemen who are proven.
The Nazem Kadri trade, though explainable at the time, was a whiff. When push came to shove, rookie coach Sheldon Keefe took Tyson Barrie off the No. 1 power-play unit and replaced him with Morgan Rielly. Alexander Kerfoot’s third line wasn’t awful, but he and Kasperi Kapanen were both handed nice raises last summer. Neither scored a playoff goal, despite Keefe’s proclamation that he expected production throughout the lineup.
• Matthews, Marner and Tavares bent over their sticks, gasping for breath after playing 21-plus minutes apiece and still failing to score a• A dour Matthews — arguably the series MVP in a losing cause — politely saying he didn’t want to explain the trend he saw in the core’s 0-for-4 performance in playoff series.
For the most part, it worked. The Leafs did a decent job keeping Columbus out of the danger areas and shut the Jackets out in Game 2. Yet it came at the expense of their identity, their strength.The Leafs will pack their Louis bags and carry a 5-on-5 goal drought of 182:46 in game clock into 2020-21.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quick Shifts: Why Maple Leafs' shocker could catapult to big things - Sportsnet.caWhy the Maple Leafs' stunning comeback feels like a springboard | Bruce Cassidy notices refs cracking down on one type of penalty | Nick Foligno reacts to decisive tripping play | Crazy Draft Lottery thoughts + 8 more NHL goodies.
Read more »
How Twitter reacted to Maple Leafs' incredible comeback win - Sportsnet.caThe Maple Leafs pulled off an incredible comeback in less than four minutes, and then won Game 4 in overtime to force a win-or-go-home Game 5 for both teams. It was historic and here is how Twitter reacted.
Read more »
Maple Leafs’ Jason Spezza will not go down without a fight, literally - Sportsnet.caTo understand what it means to the Maple Leafs that Jason Spezza picked a fight and started throwing rights at Dean Kukan’s face with the season looking lost Friday night, you should know a few things.
Read more »
Maple Leafs' Big Four rewrite ending to the season in its most dire moment - Sportsnet.caThe deficit looked insurmountable. The final buzzer loomed large. The last chapter in this Maple Leafs season was written. Then, in a flash, Auston Matthews and the rest of Toronto's Big Four authored a new ending. (reporterchris)
Read more »
Maple Leafs have chance to make new memories after years of playoff misery - Sportsnet.caThe Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance in Game 5 against the Columbus Blue Jackets to advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and SN Now.
Read more »