The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a bit of a bind, to say the least. They are now 1-2 in the past three contests, losing a heartbreaker to the Ottawa Senators. A game where the power play was flawless and can be utilized against a physical Nashville Predators team, who will be in town this Tuesday night.
Maple Leafs Can Improve After Last Loss
This game is non-conference related, but the strongest implication for the Maple Leafs is to muster out a win, Not Because the Predators are a weak team, but because of the faith in the fanbase that is eerily optimistic. Also, the team has been hyped to win since the preseason, and now it’s time for the players to step up.
Another reason is that head coach Jim Hiller faced heavy criticism after the previous contest against the Senators for not preparing the line formations dominantly, instead being modest. Despite the criticism, the coach is still juggling the lines to clarify who works where and what works best for the offense.
The Maple Leafs are a team with poise, but they may lack confidence. This won’t work in gameplay, and the team will come out strong. The stakes have never been higher, and reaching .500 in the standings and elevating their game is a top priority based on what we’ve seen and what we’ll see at the morning skate tomorrow. The line formations will make it clear what direction the coach is heading and whether he’s in serious business to compete.
The main question will be which Maple Leafs players score and who assists on those plays. This will restore faith in the scoring department for the fanbase, even the players themselves. It will restore their confidence and help them shrug off the jitters. This would be a welcome addition to the Maple Leafs fanbase.
Provided the team is ready to go and no injuries occur in the next 24 hours or so. The Leafs’ squad shouldn’t have trouble preparing for the contest against the Predators. The Preds, however, are physically built and play a gritty, forward approach. Last year, the team didn’t perform well, but this resilient squad is ready to find its stride and win.
The Maple Leafs must also practice more in the faceoff section, where playing a Western Conference team will test their wits against a fast, dominant team. This would help the Maple Leafs because it will let them adjust their gameplay to that level. The most effective way for the Maple Leafs to win will be to use their speed and skill to a T.
Puck-to-puck passing will be key, and finding the open man around the net will give the team an added level of dominance to beat the Preds. But the game should be close; whoever scores first may have the upper hand, but the game isn’t over until the end. The fans need a reason to cheer, and this game should be an uplifting experience.
With the season just beginning, however, this is where the analysts try to predict which way the team is heading. One would believe the Maple Leafs are finding their ideal role and will be familiar with eachother by next week.
Here are a few words from Maple Leafs forward Teddy Blueger:
“Very significant,” Blueger said. “The league is extremely competitive. When you’re in March and April, each point matters so much. I don’t think you can take any game for granted or write it off or take it easy. Regardless of who you’re playing, anyone can punish you.
“Very important to get the two points and go on the road on the right foot.”
As a fan, optimism will be a treat as the season unfolds, and that is where it gets interesting for Leafs fans across the nation.
Main Image: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
