It's time for some Maple Leafs to step up as they have had some weak production this season, but it could turn around as long as Bobby McMann keeps shooting the puck.
Coming off a career-high eight shots against the Washington Capitals, Bobby McMann was a man possessed on the ice as he tried to bury the puck every chance he got (as should be the goal, no pun intended). He managed one goal but could have had a lot more too, and he was clearly a favorite, having 18:24 of ice time.
The fact that McMann showed patience before letting the shot go shows that he has more offensive intelligence than some give him credit for, and his career-high shots total beat his previous best of seven shots; also against Washington:
He felt like he had an extra step on Wednesday, never giving up on the play and showing off an offensive punch. His linemates were John Tavares and Mitch Marner, so he had some great playmakers at his side, so it might be in Craig Berube's best interest to put McMann with some passers and let him shoot more often.
Oh, and going into Wednesday's game Toronto was 12-0-1 when McMann scored a goal; and made it 13-0-1 later in the evening. If McMann scores, Toronto somehow unlocks a new gear and ends up winning; it's like a lucky rabbit's foot on skates.
It was also nearly 14 years to the day when Toronto last won a road game trailing by more than a goal in the last 5:00 of play against, you guessed it, the Washington Capitals:
Both Toronto and McMann seem to have the Capitals number, and perhaps this is what was needed to give McMann the confidence to shoot more and subsequently, score more. He's not going to be doing anything on the bottom lines though, and if Toronto wants to succeed with him in tow, he needs the proper players to let him shine.
