Maple Leafs Visit Avalanche: Three Things to Watch

I don't think Toronto Maple Leafs fans are quite sure what to make of this team yet. And honestly, I don't blame them. Five games into the season, Toronto has shown us some exciting things, some worrying things, and enough inconsistency to keep us guessing.

Tonight's visit to Colorado should give another interesting test. The Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and a lot of ways to make life difficult for an opponent. If the Maple Leafs want to come away with two points, I’ll be watching a few things.

First, How Do the Maple Leafs Handle MacKinnon?

Some players make you pay for the smallest mistake. MacKinnon is one of them. He's already off to a terrific start, with three goals and five assists through Colorado's first four games. He can beat you with speed, skill, and a willingness to attack before a defence can get organized.

Toronto doesn't have to shut him down completely. That's probably asking too much. But the Maple Leafs need to take away his room to operate without giving him easy transition opportunities. I'd also be watching how Toronto handles the rest of Colorado's attack. This isn't a one-man team.

Related: Ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Dennis Hildeby Off to a Good Start

Second, Can Gavin McKenna Learn Something Against the Best?

The young Maple Leafs forward has already scored his first NHL goal, and every game gives him another chance to figure out what this league is all about. Tonight, he'll be facing a defence that includes Makar and Devon Toews. That's quite an education for an 18-year-old.

I'm not expecting McKenna to take over the game. I want to see whether he can make good decisions with the puck, find open ice, and stay involved when the opposition gets physical. Sometimes, a young player learns more from a difficult night than from scoring a goal.

And don't forget Miles Wood. He could make his Maple Leafs debut against the team he played for before his time in Columbus. I'm curious to see what kind of energy he brings.

Third, Can Toronto Find Some Consistency?

The Maple Leafs have shown they can score in bunches. They've also shown they can surrender a lead quickly. The shootout loss in Vegas reminded everyone that entertaining hockey and winning hockey aren't always the same thing. Coach Jim Hiller is still experimenting with his forward combinations. That's understandable with so many new faces, but eventually, Toronto needs to find some combinations it can trust.

Colorado played Thursday, too, so both teams are coming off a game. The Maple Leafs need to take advantage if the Avalanche look a little tired. I'm not expecting Toronto to solve all its problems tonight. But I'd like to see a team that's learning, competing, and making fewer costly mistakes. Against Colorado, we'll get a pretty good idea of where the Maple Leafs stand right now.

Related: Did the Maple Leafs Give Matthew Knies a Chance to Shine?