The Maple Leafs are streaking! And, do you know what&#8217;s the best part? It&#8217;s been a group effort early on.
Toronto won its third in a row on Wednesday, taking down the Los Angeles Kings 6-2. It helps when seven players register at least two points, and throughout moments of this game, everything was clicking. It was fun to watch.
Good news folks, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is on the board. Matthews&#8217; first with the &#8216;C&#8217; on was sandwiched in between the Bobby McMann show. McMann opened the scoring, cleaning up a broken play, almost seven minutes into the opening frame.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
BOBBBBBBBOOOOOOO 🗣️ <a href="https://t.co/etimwSA0iI">pic.twitter.com/etimwSA0iI</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1846702133661389296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If you look closely, you can tell McMann didn&#8217;t even realize he scored until William Nylander was coming in to celebrate and you love to see it. McMann did a great job to set the tone early on, and that&#8217;s when The Captain got involved. Maple Leafs&#8217; legend — now Kings&#8217; netminder David Rittich was put in a tough spot, after Matthews fanned on his first attempt, and then picked the top corner. The Leafs&#8217; captain is on the board!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
SONK &amp; SNIPE 😮‍💨 <a href="https://t.co/1Ae6KpquWF">pic.twitter.com/1Ae6KpquWF</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1846703635486388265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Leafs lead the Kings 3-0 after one. In the second period, it took Toronto almost eight minutes to get its first shot on net. They came out a bit content with the scoreboard, but Anthony Stolarz held down the fort. The Maple Leafs&#8217; goaltender is quickly becoming one of the many storylines to follow across the entire NHL.
It&#8217;s starting to feel like Brad Treliving should send the Florida Panthers a &#8216;Thank You card&#8217; for letting Stolarz, Steven Lorentz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson walk in free agency. Ekman-Larsson had two assists in the first period and continues to look like an absolute steal at $3.5 million per season. The 33-year-old looks as fresh as ever to start the year.
Good news, a Leafs defenceman finally hit the scoresheet. Approaching the half-way mark in the second, Jake McCabe made a glorious feed to Morgan Rielly, who found a seam in front, and tipped home a beauty, to make it 4-0. It was the first goal for a Leafs&#8217; blueliner this season, but no, this isn&#8217;t something to worry about. The first half of the season should be focused on solely shutting down opponents, and learning Craig Berube&#8217;s system.
Breath easy, Leafs Nation, the Leafs power play scored a goal, actually two. William Nylander potted home his third of the season on the man advantage, with less than two minutes remaining in the second. Nylander put the Leafs up 5-0 through two, a period that included Stolarz stopping 13 of the Kings&#8217; 34 total shots. Meanwhile, John Tavares added another power-play marker in the dying minutes of the third. The Leafs&#8217; PP finished 2-4 on the night.
Speaking of the third period, especially early on, it was rough. Toronto came out flat, gave up one early on, and then McCabe took a penalty moments later. Thankfully, McCabe was bailed out by Stolarz, who showed off some resiliency and serious athleticism, shutting the door shortly after losing his shutout.
All eyes were on Timothy Liljegren, who was playing in his first game of the season. Liljegren played a so-so game. He took a cross-checking penalty in the second period, but throughout the game, did look like he was trying to be more direct with his decision making. Berube doesn&#8217;t want him making risky plays, and he&#8217;d like to see Liljegren take the easy way out when reading the play. It&#8217;s likely he&#8217;ll get another look next game.
The Leafs are now off until the weekend, as they&#8217;ll continue their four-game homestand welcoming the New York Rangers to town. The good times are rolling early on this year. No reason not to enjoy it.

The Maple Leafs are streaking! And, do you know what's the best part? It's been a group effort early on.

Toronto won its third in a row on Wednesday, taking down the Los Angeles Kings 6-2. It helps when seven players register at least two points, and throughout moments of this game, everything was clicking. It was fun to watch.

Good news folks, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is on the board. Matthews' first with the 'C' on was sandwiched in between the Bobby McMann show. McMann opened the scoring, cleaning up a broken play, almost seven minutes into the opening frame.

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1846702133661389296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

If you look closely, you can tell McMann didn't even realize he scored until William Nylander was coming in to celebrate and you love to see it. McMann did a great job to set the tone early on, and that's when The Captain got involved. Maple Leafs' legend — now Kings' netminder David Rittich was put in a tough spot, after Matthews fanned on his first attempt, and then picked the top corner. The Leafs' captain is on the board!

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1846703635486388265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The Leafs lead the Kings 3-0 after one. In the second period, it took Toronto almost eight minutes to get its first shot on net. They came out a bit content with the scoreboard, but Anthony Stolarz held down the fort. The Maple Leafs' goaltender is quickly becoming one of the many storylines to follow across the entire NHL.

It's starting to feel like Brad Treliving should send the Florida Panthers a 'Thank You card' for letting Stolarz, Steven Lorentz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson walk in free agency. Ekman-Larsson had two assists in the first period and continues to look like an absolute steal at $3.5 million per season. The 33-year-old looks as fresh as ever to start the year.

Good news, a Leafs defenceman finally hit the scoresheet. Approaching the half-way mark in the second, Jake McCabe made a glorious feed to Morgan Rielly, who found a seam in front, and tipped home a beauty, to make it 4-0. It was the first goal for a Leafs' blueliner this season, but no, this isn't something to worry about. The first half of the season should be focused on solely shutting down opponents, and learning Craig Berube's system.

Breath easy, Leafs Nation, the Leafs power play scored a goal, actually two. William Nylander potted home his third of the season on the man advantage, with less than two minutes remaining in the second. Nylander put the Leafs up 5-0 through two, a period that included Stolarz stopping 13 of the Kings' 34 total shots. Meanwhile, John Tavares added another power-play marker in the dying minutes of the third. The Leafs' PP finished 2-4 on the night.

Speaking of the third period, especially early on, it was rough. Toronto came out flat, gave up one early on, and then McCabe took a penalty moments later. Thankfully, McCabe was bailed out by Stolarz, who showed off some resiliency and serious athleticism, shutting the door shortly after losing his shutout.

All eyes were on Timothy Liljegren, who was playing in his first game of the season. Liljegren played a so-so game. He took a cross-checking penalty in the second period, but throughout the game, did look like he was trying to be more direct with his decision making. Berube doesn't want him making risky plays, and he'd like to see Liljegren take the easy way out when reading the play. It's likely he'll get another look next game.

The Leafs are now off until the weekend, as they'll continue their four-game homestand welcoming the New York Rangers to town. The good times are rolling early on this year. No reason not to enjoy it.

Knee Jerk Reaction: Captain Matthews scores his 1st, Leafs look unbeatable at times in rout of Kings

Recent articles from Shane Seney

Breaking News