Sports’ pick of the week
Illustration by Soli Santoyo
Marcus Wilson, Contributing Writer
For this week’s pick of the week, we’re going to be covering the NHL as the Toronto Maple Leafs face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 10.
Looking at the Eastern NHL standings, we see the Maple Leafs — with a record of 31 wins and 13 losses — are sitting pretty as their record places them in second place in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Bruins and narrowly in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Blue Jackets are sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard in the metropolitan standings with a losing record of 32 losses and 15 wins.
As trade deadlines are tightening up the Maple Leafs are going to continue to be active in the conversation. A true testament to the success they’ve seen throughout this season comes from their ability to play under extreme pressure and adversity.
From week one, the Maple Leaf starters — defenseman Jake Muzzin and right winger Mitch Marner — go out with injuries. However, the players who have not only stepped up, but are excelling is what has made the difference.
The Maple Leaf defenseman Rasmus Sandin and left wing Pontus Holmberg are just two names that have made their emergence this season and already made an impact, according to the NHL.
With the Leafs showing signs of a breakthrough season, they’re going to take the win in Ohio. The cultivation of a lackluster opponent and a team on the brink of a breakthrough is why the Maple Leafs will come out on top in their square off against the Blue Jackets.
