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Toronto Maple Leafs: Babcock Confident Before Game Six Against Capitals

By Johnathan Moran |
Apr 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to his players during a time-out called late in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. The Blue Jackets beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to his players during a time-out called late in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. The Blue Jackets beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Capitals ahead 3-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and a win away from advancing to the second round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Maple Leafs facing elimination, can the Maple Leafs come back to eliminate the Washington Capitals and meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final?

Mike Babcock spoke to the media yesterday in Toronto after practice, a day after his Toronto Maple Leafs lost 2-1 in overtime to the Washington Capitals to fall behind 3-2 in the series, where he spoke about how Verizon Center employees told him to,

“have a good year” when getting onto the team’s bus, when Babcock said he responded by saying, “No, see you in a couple of days”, before adding, “In my mind and in my heart, that’s what I know is going to happen.”.

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Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (29) talks with Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) against the Washington Capitals in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (29) talks with Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) against the Washington Capitals in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Maple Leafs head coach has been confident in his young Maple leafs team since game one of this series but his confidence in his team is on full display. The success of the Maple Leafs has been from Babcock introducing the rookie into the NHL and developing them into elite players, such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Along with veterans, such as Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk buying into Babcock systems but it might Babcock that has bought fully into his team. Even if it is with house money.

Through the first five games of the series the Capitals are ahead 3-2 and the overall numbers show an even series, backing Babcock’s belief in his team against the President’s Trophy winners. The Capitals lead the series in goals 16-15, but the shots on goal are even 175-175, with the Maple Leafs leading the series in shot attempts 359-352.The Capitals have the only regulation win of the series with both teams tied 2-2 in overtime wins.

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Even though the Capitals lead the series 3-2 and the Maple Leafs can’t lose or their season will be over, they have earned the full respect of their head coach for what they have achieved this season. With their head coach’s confidence fully behind them, it could just be the extra push the Maple Leafs need to win game six and force game seven Tuesday night back in Washington. It’s just one step closer to booking a date with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round.

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