West coast trip

The Leafs experienced their first 2 game losing streak, which was bound to happen eventually during an 82 game season. The defensive play and net minding have been suspect as of late and is the cause of the 2 game losing streak. It has not solely been the defense and goaltenders fault for the poor play. The has also been blown back checking assignments by some key forwards. The reason for the loses are pretty clear and can easily be remedied. But the work has to be put in, there are no easy games in the NHL, every team will compete hard against the Leafs. Especially with all the hype that surrounds them.

Next up is a 4 game west coast swing, involving the top 2 teams in the west. The Kings and the Blues with 19 points each. The Ducks and the Sharks are the other 2 opponents on the road trip and cannot be taken lightly either. The way the Leafs are playing defensively there is no team that they should be taking lightly at this point in the season.

The Leafs have been off to a decent start, record wise. All those early season points will be helpful in the long run, but any losing streak can eat away at those early gains very quickly. The road trip may be a good thing at this point in the season. A lot of people are pointing their finger at Freddy, and some of that may be warranted. But if you look at the numbers the problem is team play. The Leafs quite simply are just not playing well in front of their own net, or anywhere in their own half of the ice.

This should drive home a point that the Leafs are still in the building process. I know that we as fans want our team to win right now, and everything has to happen so quickly. But that's not the reality of the NHL. This is only year 2 of the rebuild, these young forwards are still developing. Which is hard to believe seeing how good they already are, but there are still areas of their game that need work, just like any second year player. The defensive group is not overwhelming by any means, but if they follow the structure given to them by the coaching staff and get support from the forwards, this team can definitely play better than they are at the moment and win with this group.

This road trip will be an interesting test in this early part of the season. The Leafs will either come together as a team and steam roll their opponents, or it will be more of the same. I predict a 3-1 road trip and 1 shutout from Freddy. Some time away from Toronto and the media will help him clear his head and hopefully some adjustments in his timing can be worked on away from the centre of the hockey universe.