It Ain’t a Mustang, but the Leafs Can Still Cross the Finish Line

Easton Cowan

Easton fills a niche in the lineup. He fits nicely with Matthew and Knies. Putting him on the fourth line did nothing for his progression as a player. His speed is right up there with Matthews and Knies. Easton’s hockey IQ will allow him to adapt if he has to stay on the fourth line.

Matias Maccelli

I know it’s only one game, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have found their second line. Matias fit nicely with Nylander and Tavares. His speed was impressive. His playmaking skills connected nicely with Nylander. I am cautiously optimistic. I know it was only against Nashville. They were effective for that game. Matias is a useful top-six forward. He fits in perfectly as the second liner. Again, it was only against Nashville, but it was nice to see the new line work together.

The Dynamic Duo

Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies are a dynamic duo. Auston easily scored the best goal of the year so far on a beautiful setup by Matthew. We need Auston to be more emotional. With that goal, Auston brought that line together. Again, it’s just one game, but we need this more from the team, especially from this duo. If they can be productive, the offense will explode.

Calle Jarnkrok

I am not saying he is the best thing since sliced bread. But it is nice to see Calle score three goals already when he only had one all last season. I know it’s not gonna be like this all season. What I have liked about Jarnkrok so far this season is his hustle. He has always been the first to get into the corners, get his nose dirty, and cause play. Again, it is early in the season, but if he can continue this hustle in the lineup, there will be improvement in the bottom six.

Final Word

The Maple Leafs need to get more consistent. There have been times when they have seemed uninterested. They can dance around in a hockey game, but this season, they cannot turn it on for five minutes to win a game. They don’t have that kind of team. They have to play a full 60 minutes to be successful. I know that is cliché, but this team needs to be a meat-and-potatoes team. It does not matter how you get there, whether it’s in the Beetle or a Mustang, as long as you get there.

More Turnovers Than a Bakery: Isles Stumble Out of the Gate

The first three games of the New York Isles have been bleak. They have made more turnovers than a bakery. That is concerning because the Isles are not a young team. They should know better. There is no urgency in the dressing room. In order for the Islanders to be successful, they have to play a full sixty minutes.

The main question is: Is this a matter of lack of effort? Or are the Islanders this bad? Can it be both? There is no way I believe the team’s talent level is this bad. Our advantage is that we’ve only played three games this season. There is plenty of time to fix this ship before we go out to sea.

The Power Play

The biggest issue I would like to see improved is the power play. The power play lacks imagination. It is easy to predict what they will do. Enough with the passing and trying to be fancy; you can’t score a goal without shouting. Let’s shoot the puck. Get the puck back to the point, shoot it, and see what happens. I love it when Schaefer is dancing around. Don’t get me wrong, I also love it when Matthew Barzal is being dangerous. But, when it comes down to it, it’s getting the puck to the net.  

Schaefer is the next Denis Potvin

I understand Schaefer’s excitement. He is the best thing since sliced bread. Yes, he has been excellent, but highs and lows are a part of every rookie’s life. He is a terrific young player with tons of talent, but it is a little too early to compare him to Potvin or the ultimate—Bobby Orr. Not that he isn’t a promising prospect, but putting that kind of pressure on an 18-year-old is crazy. We have to worry about the kid’s psyche if his play drops.

Final word

Bottom line, it’s still early. When it comes down to the Isles season, the goaltending will be crucial. Sooner or later, Serokin will have to steal some games. I have no doubt Horvat will be better. The only question with Barzal is his health. The scoring support has to pick up for the Isles to be successful.

Randy 

Hockey Fever Returns to Toronto: Can the Leafs Make It Count?

The beginning of hockey season is the most exciting time of year, especially if you’re a Maple Leafs fan. There seems to be an era of excitement; the fans like what they are seeing. With the addition of Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy gives the Leafs more balanced scoring.

I was shocked Maccelli was put on the first line, but I understand the reasoning. He is a terrific playmaker and could be the best passer on the squad. He could have some fun setting up Matthews and Knies. The trio could be explosive.

The latest news on the new second line has Bobby McMann with Nylander and Tavares. McMann is a streaky goal scorer. If he can be more consistent, he could go a long way this year. He can get his nose dirty, score some garbage goals, and get his body to the net, which could be helpful for the Leafs. Making more room for Tavares and Nylander to make plays would be huge.

The third line might be one of the best bruiser lines. Domi and Joshua can mix it up with the best. If Domi and Robinson can work well, it might save Robinson’s career. Robinson has to put up or shut up; no more second chances. 

The fourth line will be alright. Roy is a solid fourth-line centre. Roy will be good on the penalty kill. He, Jarnkrok, and Lorentz can bring some energy. Bring this line out to wake the team up. Of course, someone has to go when Scott Laughton comes off the injured reserve list. 

The Leafs more than likely will not make as many points this season.   They could be more successful in the playoffs. However, the points could be closer with the Panthers’ injuries. My guess is 96-100 points. A second or third place is in the future for the Leafs. 

The Islanders’ Make-or-Break Season: Riding on Sorokin’s Shoulders

Prediction

The New York Islanders will be successful simply because of All-Star goaltender Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin will have a bounce-back year. However, the New York Islanders’ defence will have to be stronger to keep the Isles competitive.

Where will the scoring come from? The Islanders do not have the franchise player. This year, the scoring will have to be done by committee. I am unsure if that will be enough to carry them into the playoffs.

Points player - Bo Horvat - 75 points

Bo will have to be the leader of the team. He’s going to be the first-line centre this year. I expect him to be close to a point-per-game player. If he doesn’t meet this standard, the New York Islanders will have a very long year.

Goals - Anders Lee - 33 goals

Commonly known as General Lee, Lee will produce on the power play this season. The power play is how he will score most of his goals, being in front of the net and getting his garbage goals. This year, he will be the ultimate power forward for the New York Islanders.

Surprise Player - Simon Holmstrom

Simon will take the next step this season. He will battle Lee for the goals and scoring title for the New York Islanders. Simon’s penalty killing skills will excel. He will get goals because of his speed breaking away. He will be a vital part of the New York Islanders’ future.

Final Word

Of course, things can change. The New York Islanders could surprise me and put up a good year. For New York to be competitive, the scoring has to come out. Barzel is going to have to stay healthy for the year. Someone’s gonna have to help Lee with some of the offensive goals. The special teams will need to show vast improvement this season.

The New York Islanders’ future is bright. They need one more draft to fill the cupboards. The 2026 draft could be the draft that they need. It won’t hurt them to fall back for one more season. In a couple of years, the Islanders could be a competitive and fun team to watch.

Randy 

This Might Finally Be the Leafs’ Year (No, Seriously)

Here we go again, Leafs fans. A new season, fresh hope, and the same old question: Is this finally the year the Toronto Maple Leafs figure it out?

My prediction: 97 pts

Part of the reason is the Florida Panthers. With a bunch of their big names banged up, the door is wide open for the Leafs to stay in the fight for the division. Toronto still has plenty of offense—Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies can put up goals with the best of them. Scoring won’t be the issue.

What will hold them back?

Goaltending health issues. I wonder how many games Woll will be gone. Stolartz has not been healthy for a full year. If Stolartz can stay healthy, it will go a long way toward the Maple Leafs’ success.

William Nylander - 95 pts

This will probably get me in a lot of trouble, but I think William might very well be the best player on the team. He is perhaps the most consistent playoff player they have. They cannot blame him for the downfall last season. He was there for game after game. William is slick with offensive skill.

Auston Matthews - 53

Auston will return to where he was a couple of seasons ago. He has to for the Toronto Maple Leafs to be successful. Matthews’ one-timers are deadly. He has one of the fastest releases on his shot. Auston is the captain of this team. He has to show us why.

Surprise player - Matias Maccelli

I have a feeling that Maccelli will surprise us. He will be motivated by last year’s disappointment. A fast-skating forward, Maccelli is a slick playmaker. He has a great opportunity to play with Matthews and Knies. I see a promising future for Maccelli.

Final Word

The Leafs will be a more complete team this season. They will be a grittier team, willing to fight for the puck more. They will outwork teams and win puck battles.

One player will not overcome the loss of Marner; the effort will be shared by the team. The loss of Marner is huge, but the team will simply find another way. 

Brain Farts and Broken Heads: Another Day in the NHL

Every year, I think this will be the year. Maybe this will be the year players will start respecting each other. I hate the fact that players lose their heads (not literally, of course), thinking we are in an armed conflict and not a hockey game. What has got me a snit? In the words of a famous wrestler, LA Knight, “Well, let me tell ya”. I’m not trying to hurt players’ feelings, but sometimes they have brain farts.

Head shots attempt to cause injury

I know there can be times when there is no attempt to injure. What makes the head explode (again, not literally, I would not be alive), brainless hits players jumping up before making a hit. Then, listening to the offender mumbling, trying to defend themselves, “I was trying to get some momentum with a big hit.” Oh, that’s fine, then jump as high as you can to hit him where? Oh, that’s right, to the cranium (word of the day—it means head).

The other excuse, “My intent was not to maim, mutilate, afflict, or damage the physical body in any way,” Has someone lawyered up? Exactly what was your intent? Was it some kind of male-bonding thing? Was it maybe a love tap? I really want to know what goes through the player’s mind right before they do the deed.

Coaches are trying to defend the player for his actions, saying, “He was trying to change direction, he was not trying to hurt the player.” Reminds me of the legal counsel for the defendant. The opposing coach is yelling foul and calling the player a scoundrel (is that a family word? I hope I didn’t offend anyone) for doing it. The prosecution has spoken. Let truth be known, this coach is a hypocrite. If the shoe were on the other foot, he would want his player to do the same.

Final word

Oh, you laugh, but you know it’s true. How many of you, if you were a General Manager, wouldn’t want to acquire a Matthew Tkachuk? My source, “Oh how I hate Tkachuck, but what I wouldn’t do to acquire his services.” Doesn’t this sound like hiring a hitman, assassin, cutthroat, or even an executioner? I didn’t know hockey was such a violent sport. 

Maybe we should play a game of Candy Land? 

Four Keys to an Islanders Playoff Run in 2025

What will it take for the New York Islanders to be a successful team this season? There are four different departments of an NHL hockey team. First, there are the forwards, followed by the defense, goaltending, and finally, special teams. So, let’s go into this a little further. I thought I could write one thing that has to go right in each one of these areas for the New York Islanders to be a serious playoff contender.

Forwards

The most significant factor for the forwards is whether Barzal and Horvat are good enough to be on their own. That may sound like a funny question, but it is vital to the success of the Isles. Barzal and Horvat must be near the seventy to eighty points range. If they are not, the top 6 is in shambles.

Defence

For the Isles to succeed, they need a new leader on the defence. They need someone to stand up, take the bull by the horns, and run with it. Schaefer shouldn’t be put under that kind of pressure. He is a nineteen-year-old. Putting that on him is wrong, even if he is mature beyond his years. I am looking at Adam Pelech or Ryan Pulock to step up. The defense has to be stellar and dependable because of the lack of production possibilities in the offense. If the Islanders can keep the goals against 2 to 2.5 a game, the Isles have a chance. They have to get involved on the offensive side of the game.

Goaltending

We need Serokin to be the Serokin of old. If he is not in the top 10 in the save percentage category, it could be disastrous for the Islanders. The days of “one bad goal in a game” have to be abolished. (Using a big word to emphasize the importance of this statement). The Islanders do not have the offence to make up for bad goals. Rittich has to be consistent enough to give them a chance to win every night. He does not have to be miraculous, but that doesn’t mean he can be a sieve.

Special teams

The power play has to be more imaginative. Last year, there was too much standing around. Shoot the puck! If you don’t, you do not score. Thirdly, and most importantly, do not get outworked for the puck. Go to the net, get your nose dirty.

They must pay attention to the penalty kill. The Isles leave the faceoff circle open. They aren’t prejudiced; they leave both sides wide open, proving they were equally inept at zone coverage.

Final word

Roy has to motivate and teach the players how to win. One of the most essential qualities of a coach is moulding a player to be what they are meant to be. He needs to find a system that works.

Randy