The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a brutal road trip starting tomorrow in Vegas, and frankly, after coughing up a home game last Saturday they absolutely “deserved” to win against the Senators, the pressure’s on. That first late start, a 10 pm puck drop, hits right after their home game, then they’re off to Denver for a “Hockey Night Not in Canada” showdown. This week is gonna put all that early season enthusiasm to the test, no doubt.
Road Trip From Hell and the Sting of Defeat
That loss to Ottawa still stings, especially since the Senators, who were the third-best five-on-five team by xG% last year, really put the pedal down in the third period. The Leafs are still trying to figure out how to consistently drive play at that level. Kirill Marchenko, who just joined the team the day before the season kicked off, had to apologize for a high-sticking penalty on Tim Stutzle that directly led to Ottawa’s game-winning goal. The winger owned it, saying flat out, “Penalty is penalty and it’s on me. I can play better next time.” He wasn’t about to comment on any embellishment, which is probably for the best right now. This wasn’t just some bad puck luck either, folks; it was their second one-goal decision dropped in the opening week. They gotta build on this, but right now, it’s a rough start.
Matthews’ Cold Stick and the Curious Case of the First Line
The big question mark hanging over Toronto right now? What’s going on with their top line, especially Auston Matthews? Marchenko’s limited practice time with Matthews and Jack Roslovic since his late arrival is clearly a factor, though the trio was seen putting in work at an optional skate Sunday. But when you look at the even-strength shooting stats (iCF/60), some of those numbers are wild. Sissons is at 24, Marchenko at 23, Nylander at 21. Then you’ve got Roslovic at 13 and Matthews all the way down at 12. That’s right, Matthews is shooting the least on his own line, and he’s only at about 60% of his career average. If he wants to light the lamp, he’s gotta shoot the puck! It doesn’t seem like his linemates are hogging the puck, but it definitely looks like their offensive concepts just aren’t fully clicking yet. On the flip side, get this, the third line is actually “cooking” right now, which is a phrase I don’t think anyone’s used since Mitch Marner was on it. The team saw a lot of changes, about four guys, so maybe everyone just needs to relax and give it time.
Kraken Crush the Flames!
Now, while some teams are trying to find their footing, our boys in blue and teal just stomped all over the Flames! The Seattle Kraken absolutely demolished Calgary with a 6-1 win! That’s the kind of high-energy, dominant performance we love to see from the Emerald City’s finest! What a way to kick off the season and show what this team is made of.
For the Leafs, it’s not all doom and gloom; Easton Cowan is looking good, and Morgan Rielly is doing okay, actually looking comfortable out there, which hasn’t been the case for a while. Plus, no one seems to be playing through an injury. But for the Kraken, that 6-1 victory against Calgary is exactly the kind of momentum we need to keep rolling! Let’s go, Kraken!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
Leave a Reply