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