NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
So, the win streak ended at four. The Leafs went 1-2 last week and finished the western trip 2-2, but there were still plenty of big moments. The games are done, so of course no recaps/ Let’s talk about who stood out, who needs work, and what’s next.
Who Had a Strong Week?
Gavin McKenna had the best single night of anyone. Two power-play goals and an assist in Seattle made him the youngest Leaf with a multi-goal game since 1944. He is only 18; you’ve been warned, rest of the NHL. William Nylander scored in Calgary, then added a goal and assist in Vancouver. Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist in Seattle. Daren Raddysh, who I called out last week, showed up with two dimes in the same game.
Zack MacEwen scored the game-winner versus his former team how sweet was that? Another ex-Canuck, Teddy Blueger, added a goal and an assist. Anthony improved to 5-1 on the year with a 26-save performance.
Player of The Week: Auston Matthews
Matthews had a point in all three games. In Calgary, we saw him pick up his 800th career point, fastest in franchise history at 703 games. Tallying 3 goals and an assist, including one of McKenna’s power-play goals. He kept his road point streak to eight games. Yes, McKenna had the best night, but for me Matthews was the best player all week.
Who’s Struggling?
Safe to say the two losses sucked. Seattle scored five goals on just 17 shots, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 12. The defense didn’t help him, but Brandon Montour’s winner with seconds left was a tough one to give up. We fell asleep at the wheel in Calgary with 2 goals on 28 shots while we let two empty-net goals in to pad the loss.
Discipline crept back in. We took eight pens in Calgary, and Seattle scored on a power play to take the lead. We can’t keep testing what has been a lights-out penalty kill.
I still have puck management concerns. McKenna had four giveaways in one game, and Raddysh had four in Vancouver. Those are fixable, so let’s fix them, fellas. Even coach Jim Hiller sees it; Hiller said, when asked if the team was honing a consistent identity. “I think we’ve been inconsistent, too inconsistent. If there’s one thing that I would point to, it’s that we’ve had some great moments in games, and we’ve had some times where we just haven’t had a good pushback. So that has to be addressed.”
What’s Next?
Back at home for a six-game homestand that runs until the 14th. The next wave of road games will be fun, but let’s lock in on this upcoming week
*Tuesday, Nov. 3rd vs Utah, 7 PM ET
*Saturday, Nov. 7th, vs. Montreal, 7 PM ET
* Sunday, Nov. 8th, vs. New Jersey, 7 PM ET
We remember that 5-4 loss to Utah, so we want a little payback. No grit, no grind, no greatness. Let’s Go Leafs
