This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
On May 13, 2013, the Toronto Maple Leafs held a three-goal lead with 10:42 left in the third period in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Then, in a comeback unparalleled in NHL postseason history, the Bruins roared back to tie the game with 51 seconds remaining in regulation, and went on to win 5-4 in overtime.
Since that fateful day, the Leafs are 73-88-20, missed the playoffs in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The most perplexing aspect of the Maple Leafs seemingly continuous collapse is that the core of the 2012-13 team remains intact (barring Phil Kessel, who was traded this offseason). In a lockout-shortened 48-game season, Nazem Kadri scored 44 points, James van Riemsdyk scored 18 goals, Dion Phaneuf scored 28 points, and Joffrey Lupul scored 11 goals and 18 points in 16 games. Each player has seen their production fall since then, but the wells have run particularly dry during the beginning of this campaign. JVR, Phaneuf, and Lupul each stand at nine points through 17 games, while Kadri has only seven points in the same amount of games.
The hiring of Mike Babcock prior to the season was supposed to reverse the fortunes of the organization, but those aspirations have yet to come to fruition. The Leafs core group clearly has talent, but you have to wonder if they have anything more than that. Each of these players have had their effort and level of commitment questioned in recent years, and in the case of captain Dion Phaneuf, his leadership has come under fire, as well. Additionally, Kadri was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team last season.
While the results haven't shown this season after trading Kessel, the Maple Leafs would be wise to continue to break up this group, and instead build around 21-year old defenseman Morgan Rielly. Rielly is a great skater, can make decisive breakout passes to spring his teammates in transition, and will get better defensively the more he plays and the more his body matures.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Maple Leafs (Jonathan Bernier) at Rangers (Antti Raanta), 7:00 PM
Flames (Karri Ramo) at Blackhawks (Scott Darling), 8:30 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News for Teams Playing Sunday
Toronto Maple Leafs
Stephane Robidas, D (groin) - remains without a timetable for his return
New York Rangers
N/A
Calgary Flames
Lance Bouma, C (lower leg) - out until January
Jonas Hiller, G (hip) - could return later this week
Chicago Blackhawks
Phillip Danault, C (hip) - could return at the new year
Hot
Artemi Panarin, LW, CHI - Playing with Patrick Kane will help any player's stat line, but Panarin is unquestionably talented. He's currently riding a four-game point streak, scoring three goals and three assists in that span. There is no reason why Panarin should be removed from Kane's line, so he will continue to average about 20 minutes of ice per night. Continue to ride this guy until he gives you a cause to stop.
Mats Zuccarello, RW, NYR - The fan favorite, who is affectionately known as "The Hobbit," has played remarkably after a head injury he sustained in April left him without the ability to talk for four days. In his last seven contests, Zuccarello has scored nine points, including a hat-trick on October 30 against the Maple Leafs. The 28-year old Norwegian plays on New York's top line and first power play unit, and possess an uncanny ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Cold
Dougie Hamilton, D, CGY - After being traded by the Bruins in what you could call strange circumstances (rumors were abound this summer about the player's desire to leave Boston), Hamilton has been borderline awful this season. Hamilton effectively quarterbacked the Bruins' power play last season, helping him to score career-highs of 10 goals and 42 points in just 72 games. This season has been a different story, with Hamilton registering just five points in 18 contests while posting a minus-8 rating. More telling of Hamilton's play is after averaging 23:24 TOI the first five games of the season, head coach Bob Hartley has continuously trimmed down Hamilton's ice time to just 16:55 per game in the 13 contests since (including only 14:00 last game).
Recommended Pickup
Morgan Rielly, D, TOR - While Bob Hartley's confidence Dougie Hamilton has waned, Rielly has clearly earned the trust of his coach, Mike Babcock. Rielly is yet to play less than 20:00 in a game, and averages 22:10 TOI. Rielly has 11 points in 17 games, and his minus-3 rating is impressive when you consider how poor the Leafs have been in 2015-16. As mentioned earlier, this kid is only going to get better, so pounce on him now.
