Toronto Maple Leafs Leading the NHL: An Act Of God?

I, like many Toronto Maple Leaf fans, woke up this morning only to realize that, for the first time in a VERY long time, my beloved Maple Leafs were sitting atop the NHL standings with a perfect 4-0 record.

Normally, at this time of year we Maple Leaf fans are already cutting the eye slots out of our paper bags, preparing ourselves for what has become a Toronto tradition—watching our professional sports teams inescapable plunge towards mediocrity and failure in what we hope constitutes anonymity.

This time, the 2010-11 season looks to be different. This time the Maple Leafs look poised to not only be a playoff team, but perhaps, with a little luck and consistency, a contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup?

Ok, so, admittedly, calling the Maple Leafs a Stanley Cup contender may be taking things a bit far, that said, I, like a lot of Maple Leafs’ fans am giddy from all the early season winning and good fortune that has come the Blue and White’s way.

While my vision may be clouded, few could argue that the Maple Leafs have been impressive in their first four games of the 2010-11 season, knocking off three Eastern Conference playoff teams from last season and remaining picture perfect with their road win against the New York Rangers.

When asked by the media how it felt to be 4-0 at this point in the season Maple Leafs head coach responded by saying that asking such a stupid question was “a question my granddaughter would ask.” Wilson went on to say, “we (the Maple Leafs) are 4-0 for God’s sake, of course it’s very satisfying, we’re happy.”

For God’s sake… yes, it’s define intervention, a miracle of God that we Leaf fans find ourselves in the enviable position that we find ourselves in today—first place in the NHL standings!

While there are plenty of reasons for the Maple Leafs success, a few players have stood out thus far.

Clarke MacArthur—First player in Maple Leafs history to score in each of his first four games as a member of the Blue and White— has been stupendous, helping to give the Maple Leafs a legitimate second line and continually finding open space, and the back of the net.

Phil Kessel— has been “filling the net” since training camp opened, scoring in three of the four games he has played in and looking like the most dangerous player on the ice in every game—high praise when you have already played against Marian Gaborik, Sidney Crosby, Daniel Alfredsson and many other high-profile NHL snipers.

J.S. Giguere—has kept the Maple Leafs in all three games he has started, making timely stops, managing the puck and giving the Maple Leafs the confidence to play a high-flying/offensive brand of hockey.

Tyler Bozak— quickly erasing any doubt that he cannot be a first line centre in this league— demonstrating a good forecheck and tremendous vision on the ice, often finding Kessel in the open.

The Grinders—Tim Brent, Colton Orr, Fredrik Sjostrom, Colby Armstrong—every single one of them has been a difference maker and, on occasion, a contributor offensively.

Fact is, outside of a few defensive gaffs (which is bound to happen), the Maple Leafs have been excellent thus far, leading more than one Maple Leaf fans to exclaim: “this is the greatest day of our lives."

Who could argue with such sentiments? Not me, not now, not today…

Yes, Leafs’ fans, this is the greatest day of our lives—the Maple Leafs, without prejudice, are on top of the NHL standings— and, while it may not last forever, at least we can say it happened, which is more than we Leaf fans ever hoped for heading into the 2010-11 season.

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Until next time,

Peace!