Helter-Skelter Hockey

One word describes the Toronto Maple Leafs team this season: "helter-skelter." Each game feels like a fast-paced track meet with non-stop action. The fans undoubtedly get their money's worth; it's exciting to watch. For the coaches, not so much. They may need antacids and medication to manage their high blood pressure while watching the game.

The defensive zone play is a disaster. It's like watching the Keystone Cops running around with their heads cut off in the defensive zone. Morgan Reilly is in dire need of assistance as he cannot carry the entire burden alone. Klingberg is helping out offensively. Gio is doing his part. What the Leafs need is two defensemen who can stabilize the back end. The defensive blunders have to stop. We can't continue to win this way. The age-old adage of defense wins holds true, but ours wins us ulcers. 

Auston Matthews

The guy is on a tear, with three hat tricks and counting. He has 13 goals; every shot he fires seems to be going in. His performance is nothing short of extraordinary, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the league this season. He is *the* best player in the league right now by the way he's playing. He's on pace to score 70 goals and potentially even more. Can he do it? The way he's playing, I would not bet against him. I am glad he is on our team.

Players are Struggling

Ilya Samsonov has been struggling of late. He was pulled from Monday's game after letting four goals in the first period. Granted, it was not all his fault, as the defense in front of him was not exactly stellar. Still, I am worried. We will need him down the stretch. Woll has been outstanding, but I don't want to put that much pressure on him going into the playoffs.

As for Bertuzzi and Domi, they need to find their niche in this lineup. I still think Bertuzzi is a good player; he needs to go to the net and get his share of the garbage goals. Domi is a third-liner. He needs to get his confidence back. The Leafs need these two, as the scoring support is thin. This team is in trouble if Marner, Tavares, Matthews, and Reilly get shut down.

The drama of the Leafs continues.

Randy

60 Minutes: The Ultimate Game Plan

The New York Islanders need to remember a fundamental principle of the game of hockey: it is a full 60 minutes. Unfortunately, the Islanders are falling into a bad habit. They are playing not to lose instead of playing to win. They are becoming too tentative, praying in the third period that they can hold onto a lead. They have become overly cautious and hesitant, overthinking their moves and making the game unnecessarily complicated. Hockey is a simple game - all they need to do is go to the net.

The New York Islanders are overcomplicating their power play strategy, making it more convoluted than necessary. The team needs to shoot more and create traffic in front of the net, which makes it harder for the goalie to track the puck. If the goalie can't see it, he can't stop it. The Islanders are making it too easy for opposing teams to play in the UBS arena. 

Let me touch on the more physical play; there isn't any. That may be a little harsh, but the New York Islanders are getting pistol-whipped all over the arena. The New York Islanders have to put the fear back into the game. They have to make it harder for teams to come here to win. 

There are currently some excellent and positive vibes as well. Sorokin and Varlamov are becoming a very good duo. I love the defensive game. Varly's two shutouts alleviate the need to overwork Sorokin. This means he will not be too fatigued during the playoffs. That bodes well for the team's postseason prospects.

Noah Dobson is on top of his game. He is becoming one of the best young dmen in the game. That being said, he can not be leading this team in scoring. I love that he is in all-star forum, but the offense has to pick up.

This team is nearly at the top of their game, boasting a five-game point streak. If they can eliminate their "stop skating syndrome" in the third period, we could have something special this season. 

Randy