The Leafs are now entering the thick of their brutal October schedule. It’s not an excuse for poor play — last night’s result was self-inflicted — but seven games in 11 days with three back-to-backs — including a home-and-home against Boston where Toronto plays a game in between but the Bruins don’t — is a hellova opening-month arrangement courtesy of the schedule makers.
All of that considered, combined with the fact that backup Michael Hutchinson will start, makes this a real uphill battle for the Leafs tonight. According to Sean Tierney’s prediction model, the Leafs have a 40.