Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Keys to a Successful November

Last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs went 4-0 to start the season, but finished October with a 5-4-1 record. It could've been much worse, but a bad November crushed any hope of snagging a postseason berth.

That month, the Leafs posted a 3-7-3 record and went 0-5 against division rivals.

Oh, the memories.

This year, the Leafs are off to a 7-3-1 start.

If they can carry their October success over to November, you can bet there'll be a playoff spot waiting for them in the spring.

Here are five things the Leafs need to do to have a great November.

Make Connolly Eat Whatever Kessel, Lupul and Phaneuf Are Having

I don't know what happened to Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf, but I like it. They're all averaging at least a point a game and are all at least plus-five.

How long is that honeymoon going to last?

Anyway, Tim Connolly's finally healthy and has a goal and an assist in three games played.

I've got no complaints about him so far, but this coming month will be important for him to show everyone what he's capable of.

The Leafs seemed to be doing just fine without Connolly in the lineup, so he shouldn't be feeling too much pressure right now.

Although he will be relied on for offensive production, it's not like the team's fate rests entirely on his (brittle) shoulders.

As long as he stays healthy, I think he'll be alright.

Improve the Penalty Kill

The Leafs' penalty kill is "clicking" at 72.34 percent success rate, which is 26th best in the league.

They're not getting in passing lanes, their shot-block attempts only work half the time, Jonas Gustavsson has not been reliable in net, and their stick work leaves much to be desired.

Firing a couple assistant coaches during the offseason was a good start, but now it's up to the players to start playing like they mean it.

If this poor penalty killing keeps up, GM Brian Burke will need to shake up the roster.

At least the Leafs' power play (17.65 percent, 13th in the league) is doing alright.

Develop Third Line Chemistry

The MacRussian line seems to be pulling together while Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul have been getting it done despite having played with a number of different centremen in October.

The third line, however, is still a work in progress. Right now, we've got Tyler Bozak, Matthew Lombardi and Matt Frattin on the line; when Colby Armstrong returns from injury, Frattin will likely get sent to the AHL Marlies.

The Leafs will get many goals from their top-six forwards, but the line of Bozak, Lombardi and Frattin (and later, Armstrong) will be relied upon for secondary scoring, among other things.

These guys certainly have the skill to put a few pucks in the net, but when Armstrong returns, they'll have to develop the same kind of chemistry Toronto's top forwards have.

They'll need to anticipate where their linemates will be, learn their styles of play, and even develop some set plays.

Right now, Bozak, Frattin and Lombardi look like individuals on the ice; they have to start looking like linemates and, upon his return, Armstrong must learn to fit in as well.

Keep Reimer in Net

I didn't want to include this for a few reasons, but I felt I had to.

James Reimer inspires confidence in his teammates, whereas Jonas Gustavsson inspires doubt. The Leafs play better with Reimer in net.

Like I said though, I didn't want to mention this one.

It's obvious, almost cliched, and it's not really something the Leafs can change or control. After all, he is their starting goaltender, so if he plays well, he'll continue to start. And as we saw that night against Montreal, not all injuries are foreseeable or preventable.

There was speculation that Reimer could have returned as early as Sunday's game against the Senators, but he didn't and the Leafs ended up losing a very winnable game.

Hopefully he'll be ready for Wednesday's game against the New Jersey Devils.

I'm don't know if Leaf fans can take another minute of Jonas Gustavsson as the starting goaltender.

Take Advantage of Easy Schedule

If you look at the Leafs' schedule this month, you'll see a lot of matchups against bubble teams, and only a few games against true playoff teams.

The only truly tough teams they'll play, in my opinion, will be the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins (who they will face twice).

They'll also be facing teams like the Hurricanes, Predators, Coyotes, Panthers and the Blues—all teams Toronto stacks up well against.

Eight of their 14 games this month will be played on the road, so despite playing against a lot of average teams, the Leafs will have to improve their road play.

The team's road record currently stands at 2-3-0.