The Maple Leafs are playing their best Hockey at the moment, and it’s no fluke. Toronto is known for its ups and downs, with calls for head coach Sheldon Keefe to be fired in the first month of the season. So why has the month of December been such a success? Well, because all lines are clicking at the right time. We all know the incredible point streak Mitch Marner is having, but he’s not by himself. Auston Matthews has had a slow start but recently picked it up along with John Tavares and William Nylander. Although a top 6 forward will be a target for GM Dubas at the trade deadline, it has been a good factor for success this month. GM Dubas faced heavy criticism for acquiring Matt Murray from the Ottawa Senators following a rough two years and his injury history. Still, he has been excellent, along with Ilya Samsonov, who was signed to a one-year $1.8M deal in free agency. So unlike last season, Toronto has a solid goalie tandem. Both positions have been solid, so what about the defense core?
They have had their moments, with early struggles from Morgan Rielly and Justin Holl. There have been many, and I mean many, injuries to the D core. Morgan Rielly is currently out with a knee injury, Carl Dahlstrom is out with a shoulder injury, and TJ Brodie has returned from his oblique injury. So it’s safe to say the Blue line has not been picture-perfect so far, but to their credit, it has not stood out in a bad way in their winning streak.
So to wrap up, the forwards and goalies have done their jobs in December so far. The D core could use its work. But as many say, “it doesn’t matter unless there is playoff success.”
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