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.