The 2023-24 NHL Season might not kick off until October, but the schedule for the new year is already out! Now is the perfect time to dissect every team’s schedule and go over the top games to get excited about, and the Toronto Maple Leafs certainly have a lot of big matchups to discuss.
Obviously every Maple Leafs game is going to be a must watch game, however there are some matchups that stand out from the rest. So, let’s go over some of the top games to circle on the calendar for Leafs fans.
Top 5 Must-Watch Toronto Maple Leafs Games of the 2023-24 Season
Five – Oct. 16 Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs start the season with three straight games at home; not a bad way to get your footing and start the season by any means. The third matchup at home is the most intriguing to me with the Chicago Blackhawks coming to town. While the Hawks are rebuilding and might not be that exciting, that will be the first time Maple Leafs fans can see Connor Bedard play live – assuming the Blackhawks draft the generational star. That will be the only opportunity for Leafs fans to see Bedard in Toronto, making this a must watch game indeed.
Four – Oct. 19 Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers
Immediately following the matchup with the Hawks, the Leafs head to Florida for an important rematch with the Florida Panthers. This game kicks off the Leafs’ longest road trip of the season, spending five games on the road. Starting that trip out on the right foot, especially against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year will be important.
Three – Dec. 16 Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs
I debated putting the Maple Leafs first game agains the Pittsburgh Penguins on the list, but it felt more important for the Leafs to be at home in their game against Pittsburgh for this list. Kyle Dubas and the Penguins first come to Pittsburgh on Dec. 16, that will definitely be an interesting night to watch across the league.
Two – Feb. 27 Vegas Golden Knights at Toronto Maple Leafs
The Champs are coming to town! Any opportunity to play the defending Stanley Cup Champions is a fun game. Seeing how your stars matchup against the team that managed to win it all is very exciting, and on Feb. 27 Vegas. This will be the second matchup between these two teams in under a week as the two teams will play in Vegas on Feb. 22.
One – Feb. 2-3 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend
The most exciting game to keep an eye on is not even a game. The NHL All-Star game is going to be in Toronto this upcoming season and the All-Star Weekend will take place on February 2-3. The All-Star game is a great event for any city that hosts it, and Toronto is no different.
Can’t wait to see y’all in 89 days 😁
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 27, 2023
I wonder how many Maple Leafs will get to go to the All-Star game with the event taking place in Toronto, and hey, last year the team that hosted the All-Star game went all the way to the Final, maybe the Leafs can make that a streak next season.