Shoots Left and Writes

 Game 15: Habs vs. Leafs Simon B     The Maple Leafs were in an interesting position coming into Saturday night's game against the Canadiens. They are the clear favorites. That's not an area Leafs fans have been familiar with over the past "forever". But so far this year, Toronto has played like a clear favorite almost every night.     Saturday was also "Hockey Day In Canada". Normally, this is a day where a community comes together around hockey, and broadcasters and former players share stories of their time in and around the NHL. Obviously, like everything else this year, it was don of e socially-distanced from a backyard rink in Oakville Ontario, home of Leafs captain John Tavares. However, Ron McLean once again did an excellent job hosting on a snowy Saturday night to add a nice twist to the broadcast.      In terms of the game, coach Sheldon Keefe didn't make any changes before this one. I fully agree with that...

Simon B      When I was a lot younger, I always fantasized about playing in the NHL. Not only did the fact that you could play hockey interest me a lot but I was captivated by the opportunity to go to so many cities and train in elite level facilities with really cool locker rooms. On TV, they sometimes show little parts of the dressing room and the facilities that players use on a daily basis to perfect their craft.      Even today, I'm constantly trying to find behind-the-scenes looks at how hockey teams operate. I know now that so much goes into getting any professional sports game going. from the teams preparing, training, and practicing,, to the logistics of traveling, to getting fans into seats (pre and post pandemic). I would've given anything to just get a chance to tour the ACC (now Scotia bank Arena - Home of the Leafs) and see all the things that my favorite players have access to. I got my chance! Back in grade 3, my friend Benjam...

 Game 14: Leafs vs. Habs Simon B   It's been 28 days since the Leafs and Habs last played each other. We didn't really know what to expect in that opening night matchup, but over the course of the last month we've learned a lot more about both these teams. We know that they are hands down the best two teams in the division. That means that the 10 games between Toronto and Montreal will most likely determine who finishes atop the division come May. The Leafs have been really hot of late but it's been against some way less talented groups (notably the Canucks and Sens). This was their first big test of the season. Travis Dermott was back in the lineup after missing two games with a lower-body injury. Coach Keefe also decided to go back to the 6 defensemen and 12 forwards setup. That meant that Mikko Lehtonen and Rasmus Sandin didn't play. The Game The Leafs had a sloppy start. Only 1:17 into the game, Jake Muzzin made a costly turnover near the neutr...

Game 12: Canucks vs. Leafs Simon B The Leafs just faced a slumping Canucks team for two nights in a row. After the first game, I thought that Vancouver would come out flying in the second game on Saturday. However, the Leafs trampled the Canucks again. While my roots are anchored firmly in Leafs Nation, I truly hope that Vancouver won't put in a flat effort for a third straight game when we see them on Monday.      Coach Keefe had to make a few changes after Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman announced Saturday that Wayne Simmonds will be out for 6 weeks (20 games) with a broken wrist. Toronto went with the “seven defensemen and 11 forwards” strategy. At last, Rasmus Sandin got his first start of the season, with Travis Dermott still out with injury, and Alex Barabanov got his first start in just under two weeks. The Game The game started out at a fairly quick pace. Andersen had to make some really sharp saves early to keep things scoreless. Just as the game started I...