After one of the wildest games of the season, there are still more questions than answers surrounding Canada’s Team.
On Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs managed to erase a 5-0 deficit against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Auston Matthews scoring two goals in the final minutes of regulation to force overtime.
The Blue Jackets ultimately ended up winning 6-5 thanks to Kent Johnson’s second goal of the game. While everyone is commending the Leafs for the valiant effort, there are some glaring holes throughout the lineup.
Toronto is currently in a tie for second in the Atlantic Division with the Florida Panthers, four points back of the Boston Bruins for first. However, they certainly have not been playing like a team that can contend for hockey’s ultimate prize.
Through 27 games, just eight of the Leafs’ 15 wins have come in regulation, and while they have lost in regulation once in their last 14 games, they have dropped four games in overtime in that span. Unfortunately, their losses have not been against world-beaters. Including the loss to the Blue Jackets, who are last in the Metropolitan Division, they also fell to the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 24, blowing a third-period lead on their way to a 4-3 loss.
On Friday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Colby Cohen expressed his apprehension toward the team in The Six.
Colby Cohen: My concern is high. I had the same level of concern [last week] when we talked about the injury to Joseph Woll. I kind of laughed at it, because the Leafs’ have a goaltending problem, even with Woll. I’m still not sold on their goaltending. This is a team that believes they are a Cup contender. I personally do not believe they are a contender…Are they a playoff team? Yeah. Talent alone is going to get them to the playoffs, but it’s not a team that is going to make any noise the way they are playing right now.
You can watch the full segment, and entire episode here…
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