3 Games, 3 Wins: What we learned about the Toronto Maple Leafs

(Picture from Fan Sided)

In the NHL every game is worth two points, but at this point of the season, those two points become increasingly crucial as well as increasingly more difficult to earn. While the Maple Leafs did not have a particularly difficult trio of games this past week, they picked up 6 important points that have now vaulted the team into the final Wild Card Spot and a slim two points with a game in hand behind the Boston Bruins for third in the Atlantic Division. The Leafs, while not gracefully accomplished what was needed of them and demonstrated characteristics of a team that can contend come post-season.

1. They Are Able to Hold on to a Lead

The most valuable lesson we learned from the Leafs this week was that even though they are prone to bending, they do not always break. This was evident in all three of the Maple Leafs games this week, particularly the matchup against Detroit. In the matchup against the Red Wings, Toronto allowed Gustav Nyquist to pot a pair of goals, one to end the 2nd, and another to start the 3rd and the Leafs 3-0 lead was reduced to 3-2. Although momentum had switched sides, the Leafs limited the Red Wings to 8 shots throughout the rest of the period and held on to a 3-2 lead to emerge victorious. Against the Flyers however, the game played out much more differently. In a game where the Maple Leafs allowed 19 shots in the third period, Frederik Andersen shut the door and limited Philadelphia to only 1 goal in the frame. The Toronto Maple leafs one way or another this week demonstrated that although not with style, they can hang on to a lead.

2. Win when it Matters

Before last week the Maple Leafs were riding a 5 game losing skid, and had seen themselves slide out of playoff position and were at the time, on the outside looking in. Mentioned earlier in the article, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not have the most difficult trio of games, but it was vital for the team to come away with at least two wins from last weeks 3 games. The fact that the Leafs were able to come away with 3 hard fought wins at a time of year that regardless of opponent, 2 points are hard to come by demonstrated that Toronto has the ability to win at crucial times. The Islanders who before their game against Calgary on March were 4-1-1 in their last 6 games, and had surpassed Toronto. The Leafs proved last week that even though they are a young team with many players going through the grind of an 82-game season for the first time, they are capable at winning important games late in the season.

3. Frederik Andersen is Capable of Carrying the Load

While the Maple Leafs were able to run the table last week, if Fredrik Andersen did not perform at the high level at which he did last week, the Toronto Maple Leafs would not be in the position they currently are to start this week. In the game against Philadelphia, the Leafs were outshot 38-33 which included a 20 shot effort by the Flyers in the 3rd period. Equally as difficult for Andersen were the 38 shots mounted on by the Carolina Hurricanes in last Saturday's game. If Frederik Andersen was anything less than spectacular in both of those games, the buzz around this Leafs team would have been much different than what it currently is. When looking at the playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, all of them possess a goaltender performing at a high level. If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to make the post-season and contend, they are going to need Frederik Andersen to continue playing at the level he proved he is capable of playing this past week.

Week Ahead for the Toronto Maple Leafs:

@ Florida Panthers (Tuesday, March 14th, 2017)

@ Tampa Bay Lightning (Thursday, March 16th, 2017)

vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Saturday, March 18th, 2017)