Maple Leafs vs. Flames, Deadline Strategy, and Questions for the Second Half
And, the latest news and rumors surrounding the organization...
Welcome to the THW Toronto Maple Leafs Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Maple Leafs writers. This edition includes free content for Leafs fans, but a pre-game preview for premium subscribers.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs get set to take on the Calgary Flames, this is a matchup of two teams going in different directions. Can the Leafs find a way to beat a Flames team that is rolling?
Meanwhile, what strategy will the Leafs employ at the deadline and what questions need to be answered in the second half of the season?
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Now on to the good stuff…
Maple Leafs Aren’t Good Enough to be Trade Deadline Buyers
January 18, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
When the calendar flipped to 2024, things were starting to look up for the Toronto Maple Leafs after ending 2023 on a low note. They swept their California road trip and dismantled the San Jose Sharks when they returned home, getting four straight wins in the process. After an average season with ebbs and flows, this was the kind of play many expected the team to have.
Then came the next stretch of games.They were up 3-1 on the New York Islanders and ended up losing 4-3 in overtime.
They had a scorching start, going up 3-0 in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche. Then the Avalanche scored five unanswered goals.
The Detroit Red Wings showed up two hours before their game because of weather issues. Instead of taking advantage of the situation and building off a 2-1 lead, the Maple Leafs lost it in the third, losing 4-2.
Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Nylander, Tavares & the Postseason
January 18, 2024 by The Old Prof
The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to end a four-game losing streak on Thursday night against a surprising Calgary Flames team that has won four in a row. Toronto is at a pivotal juncture in their season, grappling with a string of challenges that have threatened their postseason chances.
Maple Leafs Need to Answer These 3 Questions in the Second Half
January 17, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
It’s almost certain that if you were to ask anyone on the Toronto Maple Leafs, they would like to improve on their first half. While their 21-13-8 record does look decent, when you watch the games, it has been a roller coaster for this team filled with inconsistencies, goaltending issues and bad puck management.
The Maple Leafs’ goal differential is at +12, which is average for this team. Their 13 regulation wins has them towards the bottom of the league with teams that are nowhere near a playoff spot compared to them. The first half was a bit of a disappointment, considering the expectation is to build off of a postseason where they finally won a series, but a lot needs to happen as they need to find their game and improve on the current roster. With a 4-2 loss against the Edmonton Oilers to kick off the second half the issues still linger for this team. Here are three questions that need to be answered.
Pre-Game Preview: Maple Leafs vs. Flames:
In a clash between two teams heading in opposite directions, the Toronto Maple Leafs (21-13-8) face the Calgary Flames (21-18-5) in what promises to be a compelling matchup. Just over a month ago, the Flames were grappling with a four-game losing streak, perched at 25th in the NHL with an 11-14-5 record. Fast forward to the present, and Calgary has orchestrated an impressive turnaround. They boast a 10-4-0 record in the past month, currently riding a four-game winning streak that has positioned them just two points shy of a wildcard spot.
Let’s take a look at the pre-game notes:
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