The Leafs sticking up for each other should not go unnoticed
There's a different feeling around the 2022 Toronto Maple Leafs than there's been in years past and there's many factors contributing to the feeling. Offensively, they can compete with anyone in the league, led by Auston Matthews, who's not only proven that he's the best goal scorer on the planet, but the steps that he's taken in his own zone has legitimately put him in the conversation with Connor McDavid for the best hockey player in the world.
Meanwhile, free agent acquisitions like Calder Trophy candidate Michael Bunting, a dedicated 3rd C in David Kampf, and Ondrej Kase, who has the ability to play on any line, have given the Leafs depth that they haven't had in years past. The Leafs still have their faults, however. Their defense needs work and they are desperate for league average goaltending at this point, but we saw how dangerous this team is when goaltending isn't struggling.
There's one thing about this year's team that truly makes them different and that's their willingness to stand up for each other. In the Heritage Classic, the Buds lost 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres in a sold out Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Onatrio. The Leafs didn't lose to the Sabres without a fight. Late in the game, after Auston Matthews was targeted by Dylan Cozens, his teammates were quick to come to his aid. Especially Michael Bunting and Ilya Mikheyev. Bunting is someone who Kyle Dubas has praised as a player who drags the team into the fight but we've seen Bunting and Simmonds' Scarborough sandpaper rub off on their teammates. Ilya Mikheyev and Pierre Engvall, who were both heavily involved in the physical aspect of Sunday's game are perfect examples of this.
Even previously in the season when teams have tried to push them around, Leafs players have stood up for each other. In a game against the Flames when Ondrej Kase was leveled by Nikita Zadorov, Morgan Rielly was quick to Kase's aid. John Tavares stood up for Mitch Marner after Lightning defender Mikhail Sergachev took a run at him. Wayne Simmonds is always making sure players answer the bell for dirty hits. The Winnipeg game in December, and the Heritage Classic. They're all examples of this team standing up for each other.
Even yesterday, when Matthews was being pushed around by Rasmus Dahlin he took matters into his own hands. Whether he crossed the line is a debate for another time, but the refs weren't going to do their jobs, therefore Matthews had to send a message that he's not going to laugh off those kind of plays anymore.
It's this run through a brick wall for each other mentality that the Leafs have developed that's going to help them in the playoffs when games become more physical. It's something that the team hasn't had in years past and this year the push back is also coming from players not named Wayne Simmonds and it shouldn't go unnoticed.
| POLL | ||
MARS 14 | 323 ANSWERS The Leafs sticking up for each other should not go unnoticed Have you noticed the Leafs pushing back more this season? | ||
| For sure! | 135 | 41.8 % |
| It's status quo | 98 | 30.3 % |
| They've gotten softer | 90 | 27.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
