Here’s to feeling good all the time. Whether it was simply all Marc Savard’s fault, the Maple Leafs getting tired of people writing them off, or if things are just now clicking, the message has been loud and clear, “we’re not dead yet.”
Olympic whiffs
On a Canadian Olympic lineup that found it necessary to overlook Connor Bedard, Wyatt Johnson, and Mark Schiefele, it’s pretty hard to make a case for John Tavares making the team. Jon Cooper wanting his own guys (Hagel and Cirelli) comes with the advantage of familiarity so maybe that’s understandable, but on a team that already has Cirelli finding it necessary to include Suzuki, Horvat, and Wilson seems like a commitment to two-way or physical play in a tournament that will be driven by offensive talent.
The exclusion of Matthew Knies is the more noteworthy snub when it comes to the Maple Leafs. Knies was one of the few Americans that played at the 2022 Olympics (Brock Faber and Jake Sanderson being the two making repeat appearances), and Knies certainly has numerous tools that make him valuable in a variety of situations, including playing alongside Auston Matthews.
There seem to be fewer head scratchers when it comes to the US Hockey roster, and Knies is likely very high on the injury replacement so how much of an issue this is will remain to be seen, but with Jason Robertson (of all people), Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat also off the roster, there is still the need for Knies to shine if he wants to play hockey in February.
On the brighter side, Oliver Ekman-Larsson played his way onto Team Sweden this year joining such elite Swedish talent as *checks notes* Pontus Holmberg.
How Matthews got his groove back
Given that some of the most disappointing hockey of his time in a Leafs uniform has coincided with the time that Marc Savard has been with the Leafs, it is worth considering that Matthews is enjoying some breathing room right now, but it’s just as likely that Auston Matthews is simply one of the best players in the world and under delivering wasn’t going to last forever.
Matthews is on the cusp of Leafs history. He’s about to tie and likely quickly pass Mats Sundin to become the top goal scorer in Maple Leafs history. There’s also something to be said for the fact that Matthews will be getting done in over 300 fewer games, though not surprising given that Matthews goals per game pace so far in his career exceeds that of Alex Ovechkin, and only players like Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy have exceeded his career pace.
The combination of the Matthews chasing a goal record, the Leafs getting back into the playoff race, and looming Olympics all seem like the reasons to expect some of the best hockey from Auston Matthews that we’ve seen in a long time, and the team needs it. The captain putting the team on his back and dragging them kicking and screaming into the playoffs is what should be expected of the former league MVP.
Last day of rest
Sunday and Monday are the closest thing the Maple Leafs will have for rest in the next month. Starting January 6th, the Leafs have 16 games in 29 nights including two sets of back to backs and two western road trips. It’s a month of hell.
The Leafs situation gets even more complicated by the need to rely on Dennis Hildeby heavily throughout the month as the return of Anthony Stolarz is unclear. The Leafs will likely also endure this entire stretch without Chris Tanev, which isn’t ideal further.
On the upside, the Maple Leafs have depth. Players at the bottom of the roster can get rest and be fresh sets of legs to help out the Leafs and there are opportunities to go with the hot hands as much as possible, a strategy that seems to be helping the club a great deal at the moment.
The Leafs aren’t alone in a having a busy month, and generally every team is dealing with the condensed schedule caused by the Olympics.
No matter the outcome on Saturday night, the Leafs will find themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in at the halfway point of the season. It’s not where they want to be.
An optimist would say that the Leafs are playing their best hockey of late and a heavy schedule when they are vibing is ideal. A pessimist would say that a non-playoff team tackling a tough schedule could be it for the team. That probably means that at the Olympic break the Leafs will still be very much on the bubble.