Ultimately, the next few games will decide what direction the Toronto Maple Leafs elect to go prior to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline.
With 25 games left, Craig Berube and company find themselves six points out of a playoff spot as the NHL returns from the Olympic break.
That being said, we kicked off the Wednesday edition of Leafs Morning Take by dissect all the social media discourse surrounding Auston Matthews since winning Olympic Gold in Milan. Tuesday was a fascinating day. At any rate, Matthews and most of his U.S. teammates were at the White House for a once in a life-time opportunity following the biggest victory of their careers. It was great to see the Leafs’ captain smiling, having fun, and taking a load off —for once. It’s been a stressful season. Furthermore, we hope he can use this win as a launching pad for future success with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s it, that’s all. With that, he should be CHEERED and CELEBRATED by the Scotiabank Arena faithful when he plays his first game back at home on Saturday night against. Plain and simple.
After that, we got into the game in Tampa. Matthews will play. So will Dakota Joshua —for the first time since lacerating his kidney on December 28th in Joshua. After missing the two Alberta games prior to the break, Morgan Rielly will be in, too. In 10 career games against the Bolts, Matthew Knies has tallied 10 goals and 16 points. He owns them. Look for that to continue tonight. Toronto’s won five straight and eight of 10 overall against Tampa. Anthony Stolarz will look to build off his 34 save performance in Edmonton on February 3rd. If they’re going to make the playoffs, the Leafs need to start playing that brand of hockey NOW.
Then, Sid Seixeiro, host of the Sid Seixeiro Show, stopped by. As per usual, he came packed with a ton of hot takes and opinion. In essence, Sid thinks the Leafs are screwed. He was very critical of their asset management, their operation – as a whole – this season, and the direction they’re headed. Sid thinks that the Leafs will MISS the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Additionally, he hit on Keith Pelley’s role in all this, and what he would do if he were Brad Treliving prior to the March 6th trade deadline.
Be sure to join us for the Thursday edition of Leafs Morning Take as we recap Leafs/Bolts and look ahead to second half of the back to back in Sunrise.
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