While the Toronto Maple Leafs would probably rather not have to play three games in four nights to kick off the season, it’s still pretty hard to complain about the schedule, all things considered.
First, there was a home opener against the Ottawa Senators who – on paper at least – are the NHL’s worst team.
Now they get to play the Blue Jackets, a team who lost, and failed to adequately replace, their two best players this summer.
The Leafs actually have to play these games (and of course anything can happen) but the opening schedule is as close to getting a four point head-start as it’s possible to come.