It’s easy to forget this on occasion, what with William Nylander still unsigned, Auston Matthews‘ quest for the Hart Trophy all but finished thanks to yet another shoulder ailment, and Ron Hainsey somehow continuing to log top pair minutes. But make no mistake, this Leafs team is nevertheless the cream of the NHL’s crop, and a slight November blip certainly won’t be enough to change that.
That being said, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows in Leafs Nation this season.
Mike Babcock‘s group will enter into Thursday’s bout with the Dallas Stars sitting comfortably in second place in the East, and holding a commendable 8-4-0 record to boot, but certain players have thus far left more than enough to be desired.